PREPARATION OF IMINODIACETIC ACID COMPOUNDS FROM MONOETHANOLAMINE SUBSTRATES

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to making iminodiacetic compounds from monoethanolamine substrates, and, more particularly, to making iminodiacetic compounds from monoethanolamine substrates through a series of reactions comprising a cyanomethylation, a hydrolysis, and a dehydrogenation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Iminodiacetic acid compounds are useful in various applications. Such compounds (particularly iminodiacetic acid and its salts) are, for example, widely used as raw materials for making pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, and pesticides, and are particularly useful as raw materials for making N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine and its salts. N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, known in the agricultural chemical industry as "glyphosate," is described by Franz in U.S. Patent No. 3,799,758. N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine and various salts thereof can be conveniently applied as a post-emergent herbicide in an aqueous formulation, and as a highly effective and commercially important broad-spectrum herbicide useful for killing or controlling the growth of a wide variety of plants, including germinating seeds, emerging seedlings, maturing and established woody and herbaceous vegetation, and aquatic plants. Widely known processes for making N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine and its salts from iminodiacetic acid compounds are disclosed in, for example, Franz, et al., Glyphosate: A Unique Global Herbicide (ACS Monograph 189,1997) at pp. 233-62 (and references cited therein).

[0003] Many previously disclosed processes for making iminodiacetic acid compounds convert an intermediate amine compound having at least two identical groups. For example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,627,125 (and references cited therein), Ebner et al. disclose making disodium iminodiacetate by dehydrogenating two hydroxyethyl groups ofN,N-diethanolamine using a strong hydroxide base in the presence of a metallic catalyst. Micovic et al. (Journal of Serbian Chemical Society, 51, 435-39 (1986)), on the other hand; describe making iminodiacetonitrile (HN(CH₂CN)₂), and then hydrolyzing iminodiacetonitrile in acid to form iminodiacetic acid.

[0004] Iminodiacetic acid compounds also have been prepared using, for example, processes in which the two carboxymethyl groups are introduced simultaneously. Jasik et al. (Pol. Organika, 1-8 (1986)), for example, disclose making iminodiacetic acid and its salts by reacting ammonia with about two equivalents of chloroacetic acid.

[0005] Iminodiacetic acid compounds additionally have been made through unsymmetrical chemical intermediates. For example, Sano et al. (Japanese Patent No. 46040611) disclose making iminodiacetic acid and its disodium salt by hydrolyzing N-cyanomethylglycine. Sano et al. report making the N-cyanomethylglycine by reacting glycine with glycolonitrile. Nakao et al. (Japanese Patent Nofi55007252) likewise disclose making iminodiacetic acid and its disodium salt by hydrolyzing N-cyanomethylglycine, but Nakao et al. report making the N-cyanomethylglycine by reacting glycine with formaldehyde and an alkali metal cyanide. Sodium glycinate, from which glycine can be obtained readily, may be prepared, for example, by dehydrogenating monoethanolamine. See, e.g., Franczyk et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,739,390.

[0006] A process for making iminodiacetic acid or a salt thereof directly from monoethanolamine substrate is highly desirable. Because mono-, di-, and triethanolamines are all obtained when ammonia is reacted with ethylene oxide in the major commercial production process, monoethanolamine is now more readily available due to the large quantities of diethanolamine utilized commercially to produce disodium iminodiacetate and other materials. Use of monoethanolamine in a process involving a single cyanomethylation to make disodium iminodiacetate would substantially reduce the amount of the highly toxic hydrogen cyanide needed compared to bis-cyanomethylation of ammonia to produce disodium iminodiacetate. Availability of a viable alternative to the current commercial routes could further offer flexibility in the use of existing manufacturing facilities.

[0007] WO 97/21669 discloses the cyanomethylation of monoethanolamine to obtain N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine.

[0008] WO 00/15601 discloses the preparation of iminodiacetic acid by dehydrogenation of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine.

[0009] Applicants are not aware of any reported processes that directly utilize monoethanolamine to make iminodiacetic acid or salts thereof. Cyanomethylation of monoethanolamine has been disclosed by Athey et al. in PCT application publication number WO 9721669 and Ulrich et al. in U.S. Patent No. 1,972,465. Chemically, N-cyanomethyl substituted amines are generally unstable, which make their reactivity difficult to predict for new types of reactions or when reactive substituents are present. Athey et al. and Kern (U.S. Patent No. 2,169,736) report that N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine may be formed by alkaline hydrolysis of N-cyanomethylethanolamine in an unreported yield without mentioning any stability problems. Applicants are not, however, aware of any previously reported processes which simultaneously or sequentially convert the cyanomethyl group and the hydroxyethyl groupof N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamines to form iminodiacetic compounds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] This invention generally provides for a well-defined, low-cost process for making iminodiacetic acid compounds (especially iminodiacetic acid and salts thereof) from monoethanolamine substrates.

[0011] Briefly, therefore, this invention is directed to a process for making an iminodiacetic acid compound from a monoethanolamine substrate, the process comprising:

continuously or intermittently introducing said monoethanolamine substrate into a cyanomethylation reaction zone;

continuously or intermittently contacting said monoethanolamine substrate with a source of formaldehyde and a source of cyanide in said cyanomethylation reaction zone to form a cyanomethylation product comprising a N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate;

continuously or intermittently introducing at least a portion of said N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate from said cyanomethylation product into a hydrolysis reaction zone;

continuously or intermittently contacting said N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate with a hydroxide source in said hydrolysis reaction zone to-form a hydrolysis product comprising an N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine intermediate;

continuously or intermittently introducing at least a portion of said N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine intermediate from said hydrolysis product into a dehydrogenation reaction zone; and

continuously or intermittently contacting said N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine intermediate with a metal-containing catalyst in said dehydrogenation reaction zone to form a dehydrogenation product comprising an iminodiacetic acid compound,

wherein said monoethanolamine substrate has the formula:

and

R¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl.

[0012] Other objects and features of this invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0013] 

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment for continuously making an iminodiacetic acid salt product from monoethanolamine, wherein the reaction is commenced in a cyanomethylation reaction zone.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The process of the present invention is broadly directed to converting monoaminoethanol substrates to iminodiacetic acid compounds. The monoethanolamine substrate generally has the following formula:

wherein R¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl.

[0015] A "hydrocarbyl" may be any group consisting exclusively of carbon and hydrogen. The hydrocarbyl may be branched or unbranched, may be saturated or unsaturated, and may comprise one or more rings. Suitable hydrocarbyl groups include alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl groups. They also include alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl groups substituted with other aliphatic or cyclic hydrocarbyl groups, such as alkaryl, alkenaryl, and alkynaryl. Hydrocarbyls therefore include, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, octyl, decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, octadecyl, eicosyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, methylcyclopentyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, butynyl, pentynyl, hexynyl, phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, benzyl, and isomers thereof.

[0016] A "substituted hydrocarbyl" may be any hydrocarbyl wherein at least one hydrogen atom has been substituted with an atom other than hydrogen or a group of atoms containing at least one atom other than hydrogen (the substituted atom or group preferably is stable in the reaction conditions of the process of the present invention). The hydrogen atom may, for example, be substituted with a halogen atom, such as a chlorine or fluorine atom. The hydrogen atom alternatively may be substituted with an oxygen atom or a group containing an oxygen atom to form, for example, a hydroxy, an ether, an ester, an anhydride, an aldehyde, a ketone, or a carboxylic acid. The hydrogen atom also may be substituted with a group containing a nitrogen atom to form, for example, an amide or a nitro group. Or, for example, the hydrogen atom may be substituted with a group containing a sulfur atom to form, for example, -SO₃H.

[0017] In one particularly preferred embodiment, R¹ is hydrogen. In another particularly preferred embodiment, R¹ is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, and contains from about 1 to about 30 (even more preferably from about 1 to about 20) carbon atoms, with the more preferred hydrocarbyls often being methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, benzyl, and pentyl.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, a monoethanolamine substrate is converted into an iminodiacetic acid compound in a process which comprises a cyanomethylation, followed by a hydrolysis and a dehydrogenation. Particularly preferred embodiments of this process are shown in Reaction Scheme 1:

As shown in Reaction Scheme 1, the monoethanolamine substrate (I) is cyanomethylated to form an N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate (II) by contacting the monoethanolamine substrate (I) with either (a) glycolonitrile (HOCH₂CN), or (b) formaldehyde (CH₂O) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). The iminodiacetic acid product (IV) is then formed by either (a) contacting the cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate (II) with a hydroxide source (most preferably NaOH) to hydrolyze the cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate (II) to form an N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine intermediate (III) (i.e., Method 1A), and then contacting the N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine intermediate (III) with a hydroxide source (most preferably NaOH) and a metal-containing catalyst (most preferably a copper-containing catalyst) to dehydrogenate the N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine intermediate (III) (i.e., Method 1B); or (b) contacting the cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate (II) with a hydroxide source (most preferably NaOH) and a metal-containing catalyst (most preferably a copper-containing catalyst) to concurrently hydrolyze and dehydrogenate the cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate (II) (i.e., Method 2).

A. Cyanomethylation Reaction

[0019] The cyanomethylation reaction step of the present invention comprises contacting a monoethanolamine substrate (I) or a glycine intermediate (V) with a formaldehyde source and a cyanide source to produce, respectively, an N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate (II) or an N-cyanomethylated glycine intermediate (VI). Typically, this reaction is conducted in an aqueous solution.

[0020] In general, the monoethanolamine substrate has the following structure (I):

wherein R¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl. The glycine intermediate (V), on the other hand, has the following structure (V):

wherein R¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl; and M⁺ is a hydrogen ion, alkali metal ion, alkaline earth metal ion, trialkylammonium ion, or tetraalkylammonium ion.

[0021] Formaldehyde sources useful in the process of the present invention may be present in a molecular form, in a partially or fully polymeric form, in an aqueous solution, or combined with cyanide in the form of glycolonitrile. Preferred forms of formaldehyde are formalin and aqueous glycolonitrile.

[0022] Cyanide sources useful in the process of the present invention include inorganic cyanides (e.g., HCN and alkali metal cyanides), or cyanide combined with formaldehyde in the form of glycolonitrile. Examples of suitable alkali metal cyanides are sodium cyanide, potassium cyanide, calcium cyanide and magnesium cyanide. Particularly preferred cyanide sources are HCN, aqueous glycolonitrile, and sodium cyanide.

[0023] The amount of the cyanide source and formaldehyde source preferably are present on a nearly equivalent basis to the amount of the monoethanolamine substrate (I) Preferably about 1.0 molar equivalent, more preferably from about 1.0 to about 2.0 molar equivalents (even more preferably from about 1.0 to about 1.2, and most preferably from about 1.0 to about 1.1) molar equivalents of cyanide are introduced per mole of monoethanolamine substrate (I) Preferably, about 1.0 molar equivalent, more preferably from about 1.0 to about 1.1 molar equivalent, and even more preferably from about 1.0 to about 1.05 molar equivalent of formaldehyde is introduced per mole of the monoethanolamine substrate (I)

[0024] To minimize side reactions in the process, the formaldehyde source and the cyanide source are contacted with the monoethanolamine substrate (I) in a way that keeps the amount of unreacted formaldehyde as low as practical relative to the cyanide source and the unreacted monoethanolamine substrate (I) Thus, it is generally preferred to add the formaldehyde Source to the monoethanolamine substrate (I) concurrently with or after the addition of the cyanide source. In one embodiment, the formaldehyde source and the cyanide source are introduced into a reaction vessel simultaneously with the monoethanolamine substrate (I)

[0025] The reaction temperature for the cyanomethylation preferably is from about 0° to about 60°C, more preferably from about 5° to about 30°C, and still more preferably from about 5° to about 25 °C. The preferred reaction time varies with the reaction temperature.

[0026] The cyanomethylation reaction may be carried out with or without pH control. It is preferable to avoid controlling the pH in a manner that generates a significant amount of salt residue and/or causes corrosion to the reactor system. Often, the reaction may be conducted without pH control. In such an instance, the pH of the cyanomethylation reaction will generally vary from about 9 to about 12. If desired, the pH can be controlled by adding a strong mineral acid (preferably HCl or H₂SO₄) or CO₂ before and/or as the reaction proceeds. When pH control is used, it is usually preferred to operate at a pH of from about 9 to about 10. As the cyanomethylation reaction, proceeds, a strong alkali metal hydroxide may be added if the pH decreases below the preferred operating range. Preferred alkali metal hydroxides include lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, rubidium hydroxide, and cesium hydroxide, with sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide being particularly preferred.

[0027] The cyanomethylation reaction can be conducted in a batch mode or in a continuous mode. When the reaction is conducted in a continuous mode, the residence time in the reaction zone can vary widely, depending on the specific reactants and conditions employed. Typically, the preferred residence time is from about 15 minutes to about 10 hours, and more preferably from about 30 minutes to about 6 hours. When the reaction is conducted in a batch mode, the preferred reaction time is typically from about 1 to about 10 hours, and more preferably from about 2 to about 6 hours.

B. Hydrolysis Reaction-Method 1A

[0028] The hydrolysis step of this invention comprises contacting an N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate (II) with a hydroxide source (particularly water) to form, respectively, an N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine intermediate (III)

[0029] Preferably the hydroxide source comprises a strong base. Suitable bases include, for example, an alkali metal hydroxide, a tetraalkyl ammonium hydroxide having up to 5 carbon atoms in each alkyl group (e.g.. tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide, dimethyldipropyl ammonium hydroxide, tributylethyl ammonium hydroxide, and the like), or other strong organic bases (e.g., guanidine and aminoguanidine). Alkali metal hydroxides are particularly preferred, and include lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, rubidium hydroxide, and cesium hydroxide. Because of their ready availability and ease of handling, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are generally the more preferred, with sodium hydroxide being most preferred. The preferred amount of hydroxide base is typically from about 1 to about 4 molar equivalents of base relative to the cyano group of the N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate (II). Use of at least about 1 molar equivalent is preferred. The hydroxide source is typically introduced into the reaction zone in the form of flakes, powder, pellets, or an aqueous solution.

[0030] The preferred reaction temperature for the hydrolysis is typically from about 0° to about 100°C, and more preferably from about 20° to about 60°C. The preferred reaction time varies with the reaction temperature.

[0031] The hydrolysis may be conducted over a wide pressure range at the temperatures indicated above. Generally, the minimum pressure is selected to be greater than the lowest pressure at which the reaction proceeds in the liquid phase. The hydrolysis reaction is typically conducted at a pressure of from about 5 to about 420 psia i.e. from about 35 to about 2940 kPa), more preferably from about 28 to about 350 psia i.e. from about 196 to about 2550 kPa), and still more preferably from about 70 to about 280 psia (i.e., from about 490 to about 1960 kPa).

[0032] The hydrolysis reaction may be conducted in a batch mode or a continuous mode. When the hydrolysis is conducted in a continuous mode, the residence time can vary widely, depending on the specific reactants and conditions employed. Typically, residence time is from about 15 minutes to about 20 hours, and more preferably from about 4 to about 12 hours. When the hydrolysis is conducted in a batch mode, the reaction time typically is from about 1 to about 10 hours, and more preferably from about 2 to about 6 hours.

C. Dehydrogenation Reaction-Method 1B

1. Reaction Conditions

[0033] The dehydrogenation step of this invention comprises contacting an N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine intermediate (III) with a metal-containing catalyst to form, respectively, an iminodiacetic acid product (IV).

[0034] Normally, this reaction is conducted in the presence of a hydroxide source. The hydroxide source is typically a strong base having a pK_a value of at least about 11, more preferably at least about 12, and even more preferably at least about 13. Suitable bases include, for example, alkali metal hydroxides (e.g., LiOH, NaOH, KOH, RbOH, or CsOH), alkaline-earth metal hydroxides (e.g., Mg(OH)₂ or Ca(OH)₂), NaH, and tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide. Of these bases, alkali metal hydroxides (particularly NaOH and KOH) are often preferred because of their solubility in water under the reaction conditions, as well as their ready commercial availability and ease of handling.

[0035] Preferably, at least about 1.0 molar equivalent (more preferably from about 1.0 to about 3.0 molar equivalents, even more preferably from about 1.05 to about 2.0 molar equivalents) of base is introduced per mole of the alcohol reactant. The hydroxide may, for example, be in the form of flakes, powder, pellets, or an aqueous solution.

[0036] The reaction is normally conducted in a solvent in which the base is soluble. Preferably, a sufficient quantity of solvent is present in the reaction zone to dissolve essentially all (more preferably, all) the base. The solvent also preferably is present in a sufficient quantity to maintain the alcohol reactant and carboxylic acid salt product in a solubilized form. Water is normally the preferred solvent due to its low cost, widespread availability, and ease of handling.

[0037] The preferred catalyst loading (i.e., the preferred amount of catalyst introduced into the reaction zone) depends on, for example, the amount of the alcohol reactant introduced into the reaction zone. Typically, the catalyst loading is at least about 1% by weight of the alcohol reactant (i.e., [mass of catalyst ÷ mass of alcohol reactant] x 100%). More preferably, the catalyst loading is from about 1 to about 70% (still more preferably from about 1 to about 40%, and still yet more preferably from about 10 to about 40%) by weight of the alcohol reactant.

[0038] The preferred catalyst loading also depends on, for example, the amount of total reaction mass. Typically, the catalyst loading is at least about 0.1% by weight of the total reaction mass (i.e., [mass of catalyst ÷ total reaction mass] x 100%). More preferably, the catalyst loading is from about 0.1 to about 10% (even more preferably from about 3.5 to about 10%, and still even more preferably from about 3.5 to about 5%) by weight of the total reaction mass. Concentrations of greater than about 10 wt.% are difficult to filter. On the other hand, concentrations of less than about 0.1 wt.% tend to produce unacceptably low reaction rates.

[0039] The reaction typically is conducted at a temperature of at least about 70 ° C, preferably from about 120° to about 220°C, more preferably from about 140° to about 200 °C and even more preferably from about 145 to about 165 ° C. Although a reaction temperature outside of these ranges may be used, the results are typically less than optimal.

[0040] The reaction is preferably conducted under pressure. More particularly, the reaction is normally conducted under a pressure which is sufficient to prevent boiling of the mixture at the reaction temperature. At reaction temperatures of from about 120° to about 220°C, the pressure preferably is at least about 28 psia (i.e., at least about 196 kPa), more preferably from about 28 to about 420 psia (i.e., from about 196 to about 2940 kPa), and still more preferably from about 70 to about 280 psia (i.e., from about 490 to about 1960 kPa). Although greater pressures may be used, they are normally less desirable because they tend to reduce the reaction rate.

[0041] The dehydrogenation may be conducted in the absence of a purge gas. Alternatively, the dehydrogenation may be conducted in the presence of an oxygen atmosphere to convert the evolved H₂ into water, as described by Ochoa Gomez et al. in U.S. Patent No. 5,225,592. In yet another embodiment, the dehydrogenation reaction is conducted under a non-oxidizing atmosphere (preferably, an atmosphere containing a noble gas (e.g., Ar), H₂, and/or N₂, and more preferably N₂ when the reaction is conducted on a commercial level) to avoid oxidation of the catalyst surface (the atmosphere will also contain H₂ which evolves during the dehydrogenation).

[0042] The dehydrogenation reaction may be carried out in a wide variety of batch, semi-batch, and continuous reactor systems. Suitable conventional reactor configurations include, for example, stirred-tank reactors, fixed bed reactors, trickle bed reactors, fluidized bed reactors, bubble flow reactors, plug flow reactors, and parallel flow reactors. Often, the more preferred reactor configurations are stirred-tank reactors.

[0043] When the dehydrogenation is conducted in a continuous reactor system, the residence time in the reaction zone can vary widely depending on the specific catalyst and conditions employed. Likewise, when the dehydrogenation is conducted in a batch reactor, the reaction time typically will also vary widely depending on such factors. Normally, the dehydrogenation behaves as a first order reaction, particularly toward the end of the reaction. Thus, the preferred residence time in a continuous reaction zone (or the preferred reaction time in a batch reaction zone) will also depend on the desired degree of conversion. Typically, when the dehydrogenation is conducted in a continuous reaction zone, the preferred residence time is from about 15 minutes to about 20 hours, and more preferably from about 4 to about 12 hours. When the dehydrogenation is conducted in a batch reaction zone, the preferred reaction time is typically from about 1 to about 10 hours, and more preferably from about 2 to about 6 hours.

2. Dehydrogenation Catalyst

[0044] Suitable catalysts for the dehydrogenation reaction include those known in the art for dehydrogenating ethanolamines to corresponding amino acid salts. Such catalysts include, for example, metallic forms of cadmium, copper, nickel, silver, lead, and zinc, as well as various compounds of these metals. Chitwood (U.S. Patent No. 2,384,817), for example, reports that cadmium oxide, cadmium acetate, mossy cadmium metal, cupric oxide, powdered copper metal, nickelous oxide, nickel sponge, silver oxide, powdered silver metal, lead acetate, lead dioxide, and zinc oxide metallic catalysts are suitable for catalyzing the dehydrogenation of primary alcohols. Copper sponge has also been reported to be an effective catalyst. See, e.g., Goto et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,782,183; PCT Pub. No. WO2906069; and Franczyk et al., U.S. Patent Nos. 5,739,390; 5,367,112; and 5,292,936.

[0045] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the catalyst comprises a metal (e.g., copper, cobalt, nickel, cadmium, or mixtures thereof) deposited on a relatively hydroxide resistant support along with an anchor metal. A detailed discussion of such catalysts may be found in Ebner et al.'s U.S. Patent No. 5,627,125. Of these catalysts, the more preferred are those which comprise catalytically active copper anchored with platinum, palladium, ruthenium, gold or mixtures thereof on a titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, or carbon (particularly activated carbon) support . For convenience, such catalysts are sometimes referred to herein as "anchored-metal catalysts."

[0046] In another particularly preferred embodiment, the catalyst comprises copper and at least one other metal which, at least in part, provides strengthening characteristics to the copper to make a more durable catalyst. Such a catalyst is advantageous because the softness of copper is at least one of the reasons that many traditional copper-containing catalysts (particularly copper sponge catalysts, such as those described by Goto et al. in U.S. Patent No. 4,782,183) deactivate over time. More specifically, as such catalysts are used, their surfaces tend to lose surface area and the catalyst particles themselves tend to agglomerate (this agglomeration, in turn, reduces access by the reactants to the catalyst's active sites). These effects are particularly pronounced when the traditional catalysts are used in a stirred-tank reactor (or otherwise subjected to mechanical agitation). Both the loss of surface area and the agglomeration of the catalyst particles reduce the surface area of the catalyst, thereby reducing activity of the catalyst.

a. Catalysts comprising copper on a metal support

[0047] In one embodiment of this invention, the dehydrogenation catalyst comprises a copper-containing active phase at the surface of an internal supporting structure. Preferably, the supporting structure is resistant to deformation under the conditions of the dehydrogenation reaction. The catalyst may comprise a homogeneous structure such as a monophasic alloy or a heterogenous structure having more than one discrete phase. Thus, the copper-containing active phase may be present at the surface of the supporting structure as a discrete phase such as a copper coating or an outer stratum, as a surface stratum, or as part of a homogeneous structure. It is important to note that in the case of a copper-containing active phase comprising an outer stratum of the catalyst, the internal supporting structure may be totally or partially covered by the copper-containing active phase.

[0048] Typically, the copper-containing active phase has a copper concentration of at least about 50% by weight copper, more preferably at least about 75% by weight copper, even more preferably at least about 90% by weight copper, and most preferably at least about 95% by weight copper. When the copper-containing active phase is present as a surface stratum, outer stratum or as a discrete phase or coating, the surface of the support preferably comprises from about 0.005 to about 0.5 grams (more preferably from about 0.03 to about 0.5 grams, even more preferably from about 0.08 to about 0.35 grams) of copper per gram of said metal support. In other words, the catalyst preferably contains copper deposited at the surface of the metal support in a concentration ranging from about 0.005 to about 0.5 grams (more preferably from about 0.03 to about 0.5 grams, even more preferably from about 0.08 to about 0.35 grams) of copper for every gram of metal support.

i. Supporting structure

[0049] The supporting structure may comprise any material suitable for supporting a copper-containing active phase, preferably any non-brittle material having a tensile strength and/or yield strength greater than copper. The supporting structure typically comprises a metal support. Suitable metal supports may comprise a wide variety of compositions. In general, however, at least about 10% by weight of the metal support is non-copper metal. In one particularly preferred embodiment, at least about 50% (more preferably at least about 65%, about 80%, about 85% or even at least about 90%) by weight of the metal support is non-copper metal (this non-copper metal may comprise a single metal or multiple metals). In another particularly preferred embodiment, at least about 50% (more preferably from about 60% to about 80%) by weight of the metal support is copper.

[0050] The metal or alloy from which the metal support is made preferably has a tensile strength and/or yield strength which is greater than copper alone. It is particularly preferred for the catalyst composition to have a yield strength of greater than about 70 Mpa, more preferably greater than 100 Mpa, and even more preferably at least 110 Mpa. It is also particularly preferred for the catalyst composition to have a tensile strength of greater than 221 Mpa, more preferably greater than 275 Mpa, and even more preferably greater than 300 Mpa. For example, a composition containing 70% by weight copper and 30% by weight zinc reportedly has a yield strength of 124 Mpa and a tensile strength of 331 Mpa; a composition containing 90% by weight copper and 10% by weight nickel reportedly has a yield strength of 110 Mpa and a tensile strength of 303 Mpa; and a composition containing 70% by weight copper and 30% by weight nickel reportedly has a yield strength of 138 Mpa and a tensile strength of 372 Mpa. See A.S. Krisher and O.W. Siebert in Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook, pp. 23-42 to 23-49 (6th ed., R.H. Perry, D. Green, and J.O. Maloney, eds, McGraw Hill, New York, NY 1984).

[0051] In many instances, it is preferred for the non-copper metal in the support to be relatively non-reactive in the alkaline (and often chelating) environments of the dehydrogenation reaction. Such metals include, for example, nickel, gold, palladium, and platinum. Of these metals, nickel is typically the more preferred because, for example: (1) nickel generally costs less than the other metals, and (2) depositing copper onto a nickel-containing support is typically less difficult relative to depositing copper onto a support containing a significant amount of the other listed metals. For example, copper may be deposited onto a nickel-containing support using the simple process of electrochemical displacement deposition. There are, however, other techniques (e.g., electroless plating and metal-organic chemical vapor deposition) which may often be used to deposit copper onto supports comprising gold, palladium, and/or platinum.

[0052] It should be recognized that, other metals (e.g., zinc, cobalt, iron, and tin) which show some reactivity in alkaline and/or chelating environments also may often be suitable. This is particularly true because the copper at the surface of the metal support tends to act as a shield to protect the metal in the support from the reaction environment. Also, a less-alkaline-resistant metal may provide other advantages over a more-alkaline-resistant metal. For example, it is often desirable to deposit copper onto the surface of the metal support using electrochemical displacement deposition (also described in the art as "immersion plating"). In that instance, the metal support preferably contains metal having a reduction potential to the metal which is less than the reduction potential to the metal of copper, i.e., a reduction potential to the metal of less than about +343 mVolts vs. NHE (normal hydrogen electrode). Metals having such a reduction potential include, for example, nickel, zinc, tin, iron, and cobalt. The presence of such a metal near the surface of the support allows for simple deposition of copper metal at the surface of the support by contacting the surface with a copper salt solution. Typically such a copper salt solution comprises a copper salt having copper present in the divalent state (e.g., a Cu(II) salt solution). More specifically, during displacement deposition, such a metal near the surface of the support tends to oxidize (and go into solution as an ion) when contacted with a copper ion solution. As this occurs, the copper ions in solution near the support surface are reduced to copper metal, which, in turn, deposits on the surface of the support. The reaction which occurs, for example, when a support comprising nickel is contacted with a copper salt solution is:

        Cu²⁺ + Ni⁰ → Cu⁰ + Ni²⁺

[0053] As the foregoing suggests, when the catalyst is prepared by depositing copper onto the surface of the support using displacement deposition, a nickel-containing support is particularly preferred because nickel has a reduction potential to the metal which is less than the reduction potential to the metal of copper, nickel is relatively stable in the reaction conditions of the dehydrogenation reaction, and nickel has a greater mechanical strength and resistance to attrition than copper.

[0054] When the metal support comprises more than one metal, it is preferred that at least about 80% by weight (more preferably at least about 85% by weight, even more preferably at least about 90% by weight, and still even more preferably essentially all) of the metals in the support are in the form of an alloy. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the metals form a substitutional alloy (also known as a "monophasic alloy"), wherein the alloy has a single, continuous phase. Although multiphasic alloys (i.e., alloys comprising at least 2 discrete phases) may be used, monophasic alloys are generally preferred because it is difficult to evenly distribute copper onto a multiphasic support surface because copper tends to preferentially coat the copper-rich portions relative to the copper-poor portions of the surface. Whether the alloy is monophasic or multiphasic will depend on the components of the alloy and their concentrations. Typically, for example, metal supports consisting essentially of nickel and copper are monophasic at any nickel concentration. But when, for example, the support consists essentially of copper and zinc, there are many zinc concentrations (typically, concentrations greater than about 35% by weight) which lead to the alloy being bi-phasic.

[0055] It should be recognized that the support may also comprise non-metal atoms (e.g., boron, carbon, silicon, nitrogen, phosphorus, etc.) in addition to the metal atoms. An alloy containing such non-metal is typically described in the art as an "interstitial alloy." Supports comprising such an alloy may have various advantages, such as enhanced mechanical strength. Typically, however, catalysts comprising an interstitial alloy contain at least about 70% metal.

[0056] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the metal support is a metal sponge. As used herein, the term "metal sponge" refers to a finely divided and porous form of metal having a surface area of at least about 20 m²/g, and more typically at least about 35 m²/g. Such surface area may be measured using, for example, the B.E.T. (Brunauer/Emmett/Teller) method which is well known in the art. It has been found in accordance with this invention that if copper is deposited at the surface of a metal sponge support, the resulting material exhibits the mechanical strength and high surface area of the sponge support combined with the desired catalytic activity of the copper.

[0057] Metal sponges are available from W.R. Grace & Co. under the trademark "Raney" and are often generally described in the art as "Raney metals," irrespective of source. Applicants use the term "metal sponge" rather than "Raney metal" to ensure that the claims appended hereto are not limited to the use of W.R. Grace & Co.'s metal sponges.

[0058] Typically, the preferred average particle size of the metal sponge is at least about 0.1 µm, preferably from about 0.5 to about 100 µm, more preferably from about 15 to about 100 µm, even more preferably from about 15 to about 75 µm, and still even more preferably from about 20 to about 65 µm.

[0059] Sponge supports can be prepared by techniques generally known to those skilled,in the art. See, generally, E. Lieber and F.L. Morritz, Adv. Catal., 5, 417 (1953) (a general review directed to sponge metals). In general, techniques for making metal sponges comprise forming an alloy which contains about 50% by weight of a leachable metal (typically aluminum) and about 50% by weight of the desired metal(s); grinding the alloy to a desired particle size; and treating the alloy particles with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide (preferably NaOH) to leach at least a portion of the leachable metal from the alloy. It is often preferred to conduct the leaching at a temperature of less than about 50 °C (more preferably no greater than about 40 ° C, and even more preferably from about 20° to about 40 °C). As the leachable metal leaches from the particle, it leaves behind voids (e.g., pores) which dramatically increase the surface area of the particle.

[0060] It should be recognized that the above-described technique is not the only method for making sponge metals. An iron sponge, for example, may be formed by reducing iron oxide at such low temperatures that melting does not occur, typically by mixing iron oxide and coke and applying a limited increase in temperature. See Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 13th Ed., p. 621 (Rev. by Richard J. Lewis, Sr., Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, NY 1997).

[0061] References describing the preparation of nickel sponges include, for example, Augustine, Robert L., Catalytic Hydrogenation Techniques and Applications in Organic Synthesis (Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1965), appendix at pp. 147-149. See also, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 13th Ed., p. 955 (Rev. by Richard J. Lewis, Sr., Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, NY 1997) (describing the generally recognized technique of making sponge nickel by leaching aluminum from an alloy containing 50% by weight nickel and 50% by weight aluminum using a 25% by weight caustic soda solution).

[0062] References describing the preparation of nickel/copper sponges include, for example, D.J. Young, M.S. Wainwright, and R.B. Anderson, J. Catal., 64,116 (1980). Such references also include, for example, M.S. Wainwright and R.B. Anderson, J. Catal., 64, 124 (1980).

[0063] References describing the preparation of copper/zinc sponges include, for example, A.J. Bridgewater, M.S. Wainwright, D.J. Young, and J.P. Orchard, Appl. Catal., 7, 369 (1983). Such references also include, for example, M.S. Wainwright, "Raney Copper and Raney Copper-Zinc Catalysts," Chem. Ind. (Dekker), 68, 213-30 (1996).

[0064] References describing the preparation of nickel/iron sponges include, for example, H.J. Becker and W. Schmidt in "Raney nickel-iron catalyst," Ger. Offen. DE 2713374 19780928 (1978).

[0065] References describing the preparation of nickel/cobalt sponges include, for example, J.P. Orchard, A.D. Tomsett, M.S. Wainwright, and D.J. Young in ''Preparation and Properties of Raney Nickel-Cobalt Catalysts," J. Catal., vol. 84, pp. 189-99 (1983).

[0066] Various metal sponges are also commercially available from, for example, W.R. Grace & Co. (Chattanooga, TN); Gorwara Chemical Industries (Udaipur, India); Activated Metals & Chemicals, Inc. (Sevierville, TN); Degussa-Huls Corp. (Ridgefield Park, NJ); Engelhard Corp. (Iselin, NJ); and Aldrich Chemical Co. (Milwaukee, WI).

[0067] Examples of suitable commercially-available nickel sponges, for example, include Raney® 2800 (characterized by the manufacturer as having at least 89 wt.% Ni; no greater than 9.5 wt.% Al; no greater than 0.8 wt.% Fe; an average particle size in the range of 20-60 µm; a specific gravity of approximately 7; and a bulk density of 15-17 lbs/gal based on a catalyst slurry weight of 56% solids in water), Raney® 4200 (characterized by the manufacturer as having at least 93 wt.% Ni; no greater than 6.5 wt.% Al; no greater than 0.8 wt.% Fe; an average particle size in the range of 20-50 µm; a specific gravity of approximately 7; and a bulk density of 15-17 1bs/gal based on a catalyst slurry weight of 56% solids in water), Raney® 4310 (characterized by the manufacturer as having at least 90 wt.% Ni; no greater than 8 wt.% Al; 0.5-2.5 wt.% Mo; no greater than 0.8 wt.% Fe; an average particle size in the range of 20-50 µm; a specific gravity of approximately 7; and a bulk density of 15-17 lbs/gal based on a catalyst slurry weight of 56% solids in water), Raney® 3110 (characterized by the manufacturer as having at least 90 wt.% Ni; 0.5-1.5 wt.% Mo; no greater than 8.0 wt.% Al; no greater than 0.8 wt.% Fe; an average particle size in the range of 25-65 µm; a specific gravity of approximately 7; and a bulk density of 15-17 lbs/gal based on a catalyst slurry weight of 56% solids in water), Raney® 3201 (characterized by the manufacturer as having at least 92 wt.% Ni; no greater than 6 wt.% Al; no greater than 0.8 wt.% Fe; 0.5-1.5 wt.% Mo; an average particle size in the range of 20-55 µm; a specific gravity of approximately 7; and a bulk density of 15-17 lbs/gal based on a catalyst slurry weight of 56% solids in water), Raney® 3300 (characterized in U.S. Patent No. 5,922,921 as having 90-99.1 wt.% Ni; no greater than 8.0 wt.% Al; no greater than 0.8 wt.% Fe; 0.5-1.5 wt.% Mo; no greater than 0.8 wt.% Ni; an average particle size in the range of 25-65 µm; a specific gravity of approximately 7; and a bulk density of 15-17 lbs/gal based on a catalyst slurry weight of 56% solids in water), Raney® 2724 (Cr-promoted), and Raney® 2724 (Cr-promoted), all sold by W.R. Grace & Co.; the catalyst described as "Raney nickel" sold by Gorwara Chemical Industries; A-4000 and A-5000, sold by Activated Metals & Chemicals, Inc.; nickel ABMC, sold by Degussa-Huls Corp.; and ''Raney nickel," Catalog No. 22,167-8, sold by Aldrich Chemical Co.

[0068] Examples of suitable commercially-available cobalt sponges include Raney® 2700 (characterized in U.S. Patent No. 5,922,921 as having 93.0 wt.% Co; no greater than 6.0 wt.% Al; no greater than 0.7 wt.% Fe; no greater than 0.8 wt.% Ni; an average particle size in the range of 20-50 µm; a specific gravity of approximately 7; and a bulk density of 15-17 lbs/gal based on a catalyst slurry weight of 56% solids in water), sold by W.R. Grace & Co.; the cobalt sponge catalysts reportedly manufactured by the Raney process and sold by Activated Metals & Chemicals, Inc.; and cobalt ABMC, sold by Degussa-Huls Corp.

b. Deposition of the copper-containing active phase

[0069] The copper-containing active phase may be deposited at the surface of a metal support using various techniques well-known in the art for depositing metal onto metal surfaces. These techniques include, for example, liquid phase methods, such as electrochemical displacement deposition and electroless plating; and vapor phase methods such as physical deposition and chemical deposition. The following discussion will focus on the two particularly preferred techniques of electrochemical displacement deposition and electroless plating. This preference stems from the fact that the other techniques are generally more complicated and/or more costly.

[0070] It is important to note that copper is at least partially miscible with most support metals of interest and is completely miscible with nickel. Thus, it has been found that the copper deposition process may result in the catalyst having copper, or more particularly a copper-containing active phase, at the surface as part of a discrete phase such as an outer stratum or coating; at the surface as part of a surface stratum; or the copper may migrate from the surface of the support into the bulk of the support. Without being held to a particular theory, it is believed that the catalyst surface can move, sinter or otherwise restructure during the reaction conditions of the deposition process resulting in such variations of form in the copper-containing active phase. Nonetheless, it has been found that the copper deposition process results in an overall increase in the copper content of the catalyst with the deposited copper predominantly present at or near the surface of the catalyst, which is richer in copper than before deposition.

i. Electrochemical Displacement Deposition of Copper

[0071] Copper may be deposited onto the surface of the supporting structure via electrochemical displacement deposition wherein copper ions in a copper-salt solution in contact with the support are reduced to copper metal as non-copper metal near the surface of the support is oxidized. The copper metal, in turn, forms a coating on the surface of the support, while the non-copper ions go into solution. A general discussion related to electrochemical displacement deposition may be found in, for example, G.A. Krulik and N.V. Mandich, "Metallic Coatings (Survey)", Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 4th Ed. (J.I. Kroschwitz and M. Howe-Grant, eds., Wiley, New York, NY, 1995) Vol. 16, pp. 258-91.

[0072] Without providing an exhaustive list, suitable copper salts for displacement deposition include, for example, the nitrate, sulfate, chloride, and acetate salts of copper. Salts containing copper in the divalent state (i.e.. Cu(ll)) are typically the most preferred. Although salts containing monovalent and trivalent copper may be used, they are typically less preferred because they tend to be unstable, commercially less available, and/or insoluble in the alkaline mixture.

[0073] Before and during the displacement deposition, the metal support preferably is protected from air by, for example, keeping it immersed in water, maintaining it under a non-oxidizing atmosphere (noble gas or N₂, preferably N₂), and/or sparging a suspension containing the support with a non-oxidizing gas. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the metal support surface is reduced before the displacement deposition. The surface may be reduced, for example, by contacting the support with a solution of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄), formaldehyde, or other reducing agent; or by contacting the support with H₂ or another reducing gas at an elevated temperature. Example 5 demonstrates such a technique.

[0074] To initiate the displacement deposition, the copper salt may be added as a dry powder to a solution containing the metal support, but more preferably is added as an aqueous solution. While adding the copper salt, the solution containing the metal support preferably is gently stirred at a rate sufficient to keep the support particles suspended. Although the copper salt may be added all at once, the salt is preferably added slowly so that the salt concentration does not exceed the concentration at which the salt begins to precipitate. Typically, the salt is added over a period of at least about 30 minutes, but no greater than about 2 hours (such slow salt addition is often unnecessary in the presence of a strong chelating agent, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, which keeps the copper salt solubilized). After the salt has been added, the resulting mixture preferably is stirred for at least about 15 minutes. Afterward, the stirring may be discontinued so that the catalyst can settle to allow the supernatant to be removed by decantation or other means. The catalyst may then be re-suspended in the desired solvent for introduction into the dehydrogenation reaction zone.

[0075] During the displacement deposition, the pH of the solution containing the metal support preferably is adjusted so that the displaced metal will tend to remain soluble and not redeposit onto the support. Metal ions are generally more soluble under acidic conditions than basic conditions (with the exception of alkali metal ions, which are generally soluble under both acidic and basic conditions). Thus, the pH is preferably low enough to ensure that the displaced metal remains in solution and does not redeposit onto the catalyst as, for example, an oxide or hydroxide.

[0076] If, during the displacement deposition, the copper is deposited at a rate which tends to unevenly coat the support, a more even coating may often be obtained by including a protecting chelating agent in the copper salt solution to control (i.e., slow) the rate of copper deposition so that a more even coat may be obtained. A chelating agent may also be beneficial to inhibit the displaced metal from redepositing onto the metal support. Suitable chelating agents include, for example, hydroxy carboxylic acids (e.g., lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, and tartaric acid) and salts thereof (e.g., sodium potassium tartrate, also described in the art as "Rochelle salt"), with tartaric acid and salts thereof being preferred. Chelators which contain amines (e.g., salts of iminodiacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, and particularly ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (also known as "EDTA")) are particularly preferred, for example, for depositing copper on metal supports comprising nickel. Normally, at least one molar equivalent (based on moles of copper ions) of chelating agent is preferably included. Even more preferably, from about 1.2 to about 3.0 (still even more preferably from about 1.2 to about 1.8) molar equivalents of chelating agent are included in the mixture. Although concentrations of greater than 3.0 molar equivalents may be used, such additional concentrations usually do not provide any greater benefits. Concentrations of greater than 3.0 molar equivalents also tend to cause the chelating agent to precipitate and may create greater burdens downstream during product purification.

[0077] Examples 13-16 and 21 illustrate electrochemical displacement deposition of copper onto a metal sponge support. The same examples also illustrate the use of a chelating agent during such a deposition.

[0078] In a particularly preferred method for the deposition of copper onto a metal support, electrochemical displacement deposition is conducted under basic conditions followed by electrochemical displacement deposition under acidic conditions. Preferably, the metal support is free of surface oxidation at the time of the plating. However, in instances where the metal support has an oxidized surface (i.e., when the support has been exposed to air (even while under water) for 6 or more months), it is particularly preferable to pre-treat the support with a reducing agent. For example, the support may be stirred in a sodium borohydride solution, which preferably comprises a solution having a pH of at least about 10 and at least about 1 gram of sodium borohydride per 25 grams of metal support. Generally, contacting the support with the reducing agent for about 5 minutes to about 2 hours at room temperature is sufficient.

[0079] To begin the electrochemical displacement deposition, the catalyst support is slurried into a water or alcohol solution, preferably in water, and the pH is adjusted to 7. A copper salt as described above is added to the metal support slurry, preferably as a solution comprising the copper salt and a chelator, particularly an amine chelator such as EDTA. Preferably, the copper salt solution contains about 10% to about 30% copper by weight with respect to the metal support. A solution of an alkali metal hydroxide (such as NaOH) or another suitable base is then slowly added to the slurry, preferably with continuous stirring and nitrogen sparging. The alkali metal hydroxide solution preferably contains at least one equivalent of alkali metal hydroxide with respect to the copper salt, and more preferably three equivalents of alkali metal hydroxide with respect to the copper salt. Although this step comprises a displacement deposition reaction, a majority of the oxidized metal from the support remains closely associated with the support and is removed in the subsequent acidic step. Moreover, the first, basic displacement deposition reaction results in the deposition of cuprous oxide as well as metallic copper at the surface of the support.

[0080] After the basic displacement deposition, the supernatant is removed by decanting or other means and copper is further deposited onto the surface of the catalyst support under acidic conditions. After decantation, the metal support is again slurried into an alcohol or water solution. An acid buffer solution, preferably a gluconic acid/gluconate buffer, is added to the metal support slurry to reduce the pH to below about 4. The temperature of the buffer is preferably between about 40° and about 90°C. The acid buffer may comprise any suitable chelator which is capable of controlling residual metals in solution while subsequently lowering pH. For example, gluconic acid is preferred for depositing copper onto the surface of metal supports comprising nickel because gluconic acid is a good chelator for residual aluminum ions present in solution. A copper salt as described above is then added to the metal support slurry, preferably as a copper salt solution, over a period of about 5 to about 40 minutes with continuous stirring and nitrogen sparging. Afterward, the stirring may be discontinued so that the catalyst can settle to allow the supernatant to be removed by decantation or other means. The catalyst may then be re-suspended in the desired solvent for introduction into the dehydrogenation reaction zone.

ii. Electroless plating of copper

[0081] Electroless plating may alternatively be used to deposit copper onto the surface of the support. Like displacement deposition, electroless plating comprises reducing copper ions to copper metal in a solution in contact with the support. However, unlike displacement deposition, substantially all the copper ions are reduced by an external reducing agent rather than the support itself. As the reducing agent reduces the copper ions in the solution to copper metal, the copper metal forms a coating on the surface of the support. It is generally preferred for electrochemical displacement plating to be suppressed during electroless plating. This is preferably accomplished by the presence of chelators, such as the amine chelators discussed above (particularly salts of EDTA). The chelator is preferably added to the copper ion solution before contacting the metal support to avoid electrochemical displacement deposition from occurring in the absence of the reducing agent.

[0082] Suitable sources of copper ion for use in electroless plating include copper salts including, for example, the nitrate, sulfate, chloride, acetate, oxalate, and formate salts of copper. Salts containing copper in the divalent state (i.e., Cu(II)) are typically the most preferred. Although salts containing monovalent and trivalent copper may be used, they are typically less preferred because they tend to be unstable, commercially less available, and/or insoluble in the alkaline mixture. Other sources may include copper complexes such as copper decanoates, copper naphthanates and copper acetylacetonate.

[0083] The copper ion solution may be aqueous or non-aqueous. Suitable non-aqueous solvents generally include alcohols, liquid aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene, mineral spirits and THF.

[0084] A wide variety of suitable reducing agents may be used. These include, for example, sodium hypophosphite (NaH₂PO₂), formaldehyde (CH₂O) and other aldehydes, formic acid (HCOOH), salts of formic acid, salts of borohydride (e.g., sodium borohydride (NaBH₄), salts of substituted borohydrides (e.g., sodium triacetoxyborohydride (Na(CH₃CO₂)₃BH), sodium alkoxides, and hydrazine (H₂NNH₂). Sodium borohydride is a particularly preferred reducing agent in aqueous electroless plating methods because it is readily available, may be solubilized without heating, and has sufficient activity at room temperature to enable plating to be completed within about 1 hour. For platings in non-aqueous copper ion solutions, the preferred reducing agent is gaseous hydrogen owing to the good solubility of hydrogen in organic solvents.

[0085] In an aqueous electroless plating method, the reducing agent is typically added slowly (preferably over a period of from about 5 minutes to 3 hours, and more preferably from about 15 minutes to about 1 hour) to a slurry of the metal support in water or an alcohol under an inert atmosphere (e.g., N₂). If the reducing agent is instead first added to the copper salt, it is preferably added to a solution which contains the copper salt and also a chelator (the presence of the chelator inhibits the reduction of the copper ions before the copper-salt solution is contacted with the metal support).

[0086] The metal support preferably is essentially free of surface oxidation at the time of the plating. Consequently, in instances where the metal support has an oxidized surface (such as when the support has been exposed to air (even while under water) for 6 or more months), it is particularly preferable to pre-treat the support with a reducing agent. For example, the support may be stirred in a sodium borohydride solution, which preferably comprises a solution having a pH of at least about 10 and at least about 1 gram of sodium borohydride per 25 grams of metal support. Contacting the support with the reducing agent for about 5 minutes to about 2 hours at room temperature is generally sufficient to remove surface oxidation.

[0087] Examples 17-I9 and 23 illustrate the use of electroless plating to deposit copper onto the surface of a metal support.

c. Other copper-containing catalysts

[0088] In another embodiment of this invention, the dehydrogenation catalyst does not comprise a copper-containing active phase deposited at the surface of a metal support (i.e., there is no discrete copper deposited on or coating the surface of the catalyst). Rather, the copper is mixed (preferably in the form of an alloy) with other metals which provide desirable properties to provide a catalyst active phase. In this embodiment, from about 10% to about 85% (more preferably from about 50% to about 85%, even more preferably from about 60% to about 80%, and still more preferably from about 60% to about 75%) by weight of the catalyst is copper. Preferably, the catalyst is in the form of a metal sponge. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the catalyst comprises greater than about 1% by weight nickel, tin, or a combination thereof. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the catalyst comprises less than about 1% by weight metal oxide.

[0089] It should be recognized that this embodiment is less preferred if there are significant adverse effects from the non-copper metal of the catalyst being in contact with the other components in the reaction zone. For example, a catalyst having a copper coating is more preferred if the catalyst contains a metal which catalyzes an undesirable side reaction that reduces the conversion of the monoethanolamine substrate (I) or N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine intermediate (III). A copper coating is also preferred if, for example, a non-copper metal in the catalyst is vulnerable to attack under the reaction conditions to an extent which significantly reduces the lifetime of the catalyst absent a copper-containing coating. Metals which are often vulnerable to such attack under alkaline or chelating reaction conditions include zinc, tin, cobalt, and iron.

d. Optional modifier metal

[0090] The dehydrogenation catalyst may optionally contain one or more supplemental metals (i.e., modifier metals) selected from the group consisting of chromium, titanium, niobium, tantalum, zirconium, vanadium, molybdenum, manganese, tungsten, cobalt, nickel, bismuth, tin, antimony, lead, and germanium. The presence of such a metal(s) tends to extend the life of the catalyst, i.e., increase the number of reaction runs in which the catalyst can be used before its activity decreases to unacceptable levels. Of the above elements, vanadium, chromium, molybdenum, and combinations thereof (especially chromium and molybdenum) are particularly preferred.

[0091] The amount of the modifier metal(s) can vary within wide limits. Preferably, the total concentration of modifier metals is at least about 10 parts per million parts of copper in the catalyst by weight. More preferably, the total concentration of the modifier metals in the catalyst is from about 0.002% to about 5% by weight, more preferably from about 0.002% to about 2.5% by weight, even more preferably from about 0.005% to about 2% by weight, and still even more preferably from about 0.5% to about 1.5% by weight. Typically, the total concentration of modifier metals does not exceed about 5% by weight. Although greater concentrations of modifier metals can be used, no additional benefits are usually obtained by exceeding such a concentration and the activity of the catalyst is generally reduced.

[0092] The modifier metal(s) may be contained in the metal support and/or in the catalyst active phase on the surface of the support. Where it is desirable to include the modifier metal(s) in an alloy-metal support, the modifier metal(s) are preferably incorporated into the alloy at the time the alloy is formed. Where it is desirable to include the modifier metal(s) in the catalyst active phase on the surface of the support, the modifier metal may, in some instances, be deposited simultaneously with the copper. Where, however, the copper is deposited via displacement deposition or electroless plating (discussed above), the modifier metal(s) are preferably added to the catalyst after the copper has been deposited because the modifier metals tend to dissolve under displacement deposition conditions and to inhibit electroless plating. A modifier metal(s) may typically be added to the catalyst surface by simply contacting the catalyst with an aqueous solution containing a salt (e.g., a sulfate, nitrate, chloride, etc.) of the modifier metal(s).

D. Concurrent Dehydrogenation-Hydrolysis (Method 2)

[0093] Concurrent dehydrogenation and hydrolysis of the N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate (II) (Method 2) comprises contacting the N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate (II), a metal-containing catalyst, water, and typically a hydroxide source.

[0094] Preferably at least about 2 molar equivalents (more preferably from about 2 to about 4 molar equivalents) of hydroxide source are introduced to the dehydrogenation/hydrolysis reaction zone per mole of the N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate (II). The remaining reaction conditions (e.g., the types of suitable hydroxide sources, metal-containing catalysts, catalyst loading, temperature, pressure, reactor type, etc.) are the same as those described above for the dehydrogenation reaction (i.e., Method 1B).

E. Continuous Process for Making Iminodiacetic Acid Compounds IV)

[0095] The present process (or any reaction step of the process) may be conducted in batch reactors, continuous reactors, or semicontinuous reactors. In a "batch reactor," all the reactants are added, and the reaction is allowed to proceed to completion (or a desired stopping point), after which the product is withdrawn. In a "continuous reactor," the reactants are continuously introduced and the products are simultaneously continuously withdrawn. In a "semicontinuous reactor," the reactor is charged with some of the reactants at the beginning, and the remaining reactants are fed continuously as the reaction progresses.

[0096] The present invention can be advantageously conducted in a continuous reactor system comprising, for example, multiple stirred-tank reactors in series. A preferred embodiment of such a continuous process is shown in Figure 1. In Figure 1, the reactants and steps are specifically identified for illustrative purposes and for convenience of discussion as abbreviations: 2-aminoethanol (monoethanolamine, MEA) is used as an example of the monoethanolamine substrate (I), formalin is the formaldehyde source, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is the cyanide source, and NaOH is the hydroxide source. It should be recognized that in the embodiments shown in Figure 1, each of the feed streams could be introduced intermittently or continuously, with continuous introduction typically being more preferred. Likewise, each of the exit streams could be withdrawn from their respective reactors either intermittently or continuously, with continuous withdrawal typically being more preferred.

[0097] Referring to Figure 1, an iminodiacetic acid salt product (IV) (specifically, disodium iminodiacetic acid) is formed in a continuous reactor system in which there are 3 reaction zones in series. In their respective order, the reaction zones comprise a cyanomethylation reaction zone, a hydrolysis reaction zone, and a dehydrogenation reaction zone. Each of these reaction zones preferably comprises at least one stirred-tank reactor. The preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1 further includes additional units comprising a cyanomethylation finishing reactor, a stripper, and a dehydrogenation finishing reactor to enhance the overall operation of the basic system.

[0098] As shown in Figure 1, the cyanomethylation of 2-aminoethanol (I) is preferably conducted, at least in part, in a stirred-tank reactor (equipped with pH control) under the cyanomethylation reaction conditions discussed above. The stirred-tank reactor preferably comprises a separate feed source for continuously supplying the 2-aminoethanol (I), HCN and formalin reactants, as well as a separate feed source for pH control (the pH control unit is preferably capable of providing separate supplies of a suitable acid and a suitable base to maintain a desired pH range). The 2-aminoethanol (I), HCN, and formalin react to form a reaction mixture comprising N-cyanomethylated 2-aminoethanol (II). A fraction of the reaction mixture is continuously withdrawn from the cyanomethylation reactor as an effluent. This effluent, in turn, is supplied to a cyanomethylation finishing reactor.

[0099] It should be recognized that the cyanomethylation reactor could optionally be initially charged with 2-aminoethanol (I), HCN, and formalin, followed by a continuous feed of 2-aminoethanol (I), HCN, and formalin. In that instance, a fraction of the reaction mixture is continuously withdrawn from the cyanomethylatiorrreactor after the reaction has first been allowed to run for a period of time. The same concept also normally applies to all the reactors shown in Figure 1 into which multiple streams of different reactants are fed.

[0100] Typically, the cyanomethylation finishing reactor continuously receives the effluent from the cyanomethylation reactor. The optimum size of the reactor and the optimum residence time for further completion of the reaction can be readily determined from the teachings herein. After allowing the reaction to complete for a period of time, a fraction of the reaction mixture is withdrawn from the cyanomethylation finishing reactor as an effluent on a continuous basis to supply the stripper.

[0101] The stripper is preferably a vacuum vessel in which unreacted HCN, water, and 2-aminoethanol (I) are continuously separated from the N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine product (II). The continuously separated HCN, water, and 2-aminoethanol (1) can optionally be returned (at least in part) to the cyanomethylation reactor or sent to a suitable waste disposal system. The stripped N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine (II), on the other hand, is preferably continuously sent to a holding tank in which an inventory is maintained and from which a hydrolysis reactor can continuously be supplied.

[0102] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the hydrolysis of the N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine (II) is preferably conducted in a stirred-tank reactor using the reaction conditions discussed above for a hydrolysis reaction. The stirred-tank reactor in this embodiment is supplied continuously with N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine (II), aqueous NaOH from a separate feed source, and optionally water from another feed source. The amount of NaOH supplied is normally from about 1.0 to about 3.0 times the rate at which N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine (II) is supplied (on a molar equivalent basis). Preferably, the NaOH is supplied at from about 2.0 to about 2.2 times the rate at which N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine (II) is supplied (on a molar equivalent basis). Use of from about 2.0 to about 2.2 times the molar equivalent of NaOH compared to N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine (II) normally provides for greater rates of hydrolysis, and also supplies the NaOH for the subsequent dehydrogenation of the N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine hydrolysate. The continuously supplied N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine (II), NaOH, and water react in the hydrolysis reactor to form sodium N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycinate (III). A fraction of the hydrolysis reaction mixture is preferably continuously withdrawn from the hydrolysis reactor as an effluent, which is supplied to the dehydrogenation reactor. While complete hydrolysis is preferable, less than complete hydrolysis is normally acceptable because the downstream reaction conditions in the dehydrogenation reactor and dehydrogenation finishing reactor subsequent to the hydrolysis reactor are usually suitable to fully complete the hydrolysis.

[0103] The partially to completely hydrolyzed effluent from the hydrolysis reactor is continuously transferred to the dehydrogenation reactor to produce the disodium iminodiacetic acid product (IV) using the reaction conditions described above for a dehydrogenation. The dehydrogenation reactor is preferably supplied continuously with the sodium N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycinate (ill) from the hydrolysis reactor, a metal-containing catalyst from a catalyst feed source, and optionally aqueous NaOH from a separate feed source. Addition of NaOH on a continuous basis is preferable whenever less than 2 molar equivalents of NaOH are added per each equivalent of N-cyanomethyl monoethanolamine (II) in the hydrolysis reactor. After the continuously supplied sodium N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycinate (III), metal-containing catalyst, and, optionally, NaOH are contacted to form the disodium iminodiacetic acid (IV), a fraction of the dehydrogenation reaction mixture is preferably continuously withdrawn from the dehydrogenation reactor as an effluent which is supplied to a dehydrogenation finishing reactor.

[0104] The dehydrogenation finishing reactor preferably continuously receives the effluent from the dehydrogenation reactor. The optimum size of the reaction and the optimum residence time for further completion of the reaction can be readily determined from the teachings herein. After allowing a period for the reaction to complete to the desired level, the aqueous mixture of disodium iminodiacetic acid (IV) is preferably separated from the metal-containing catalyst. The separated metal-containing catalyst can be recycled, either partially or completely, to the catalyst feed source from which catalyst is supplied back to the dehydrogenation reactor.

F. Use of iminodiacetic acid compounds to make N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine and salts thereof

[0105] Various iminodiacetic acid compounds (preferably alkali metal salts of iminodiacetic acid, and even more preferably a sodium salt of iminodiacetic acid) produced by this invention may be used as raw materials to prepare N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine and agronomically acceptable salts thereof in accordance with many well-known methods in the art. As used herein, an "agronomically acceptable salt" is defined as a salt which contains a cation(s) that allows agriculturally and economically useful herbicidal activity of an N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine anion. Such a cation may be, for example, an alkali metal cation (e.g., a Na ion), an ammonium ion, an isopropyl ammonium ion, a tetra-alkylammonium ion, a trialkyl sulfonium ion, a protonated primary amine, a protonated secondary amine, or a protonated tertiary amine.

[0106] Salts of iminodiacetic acid, for example, may be phosphonomethylated in a reaction zone containing HCl, phosphorous acid (H₃PO₃), and formaldehyde (CH₂O) to form N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid. See, e.g., Gentilcore, U.S. Patent No. 4,775,498 (also reporting that the HCl and H₃PO₃ may optionally be formed by adding PCl₃ to water). The N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid may, in turn, be contacted with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst to oxidatively cleave a carboxymethyl group to form N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine. Many catalysts are known in the art for conducting this dehydrogenation, and include, for example, carbon catalysts (see, e.g., Hershman, U.S. Patent No. 3,969,398; and Chou, U.S. Patent Nos. 4,624,937 and 4,696,772); a carbon catalyst along with a noble metal co-catalyst supported on aluminosilicate (see, e.g., Felthouse, U.S. Patent No. 4,582,650), and catalysts comprising a noble metal supported on carbon (see, e.g., Franz, U.S. Patent No. 3,950,402; Ramon et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,179,228; and Ebner et al., PCT/US99/03402). See also, Franz, et al., Glyphosate: A Unique Global Herbicide (ACS Monograph 189, 1997) at pp. 233-62 (disclosing the use of iminodiacetic acid compounds as raw materials to form N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine).

VI. DEFINITIONS

[0107] The following definitions are provided in order to aid the reader in understanding the detailed description of the present invention:

"GC" means gas chromatography.

"HPLC" means high pressure liquid chromatography.

"IC" means ion chromatography.

"NMR" means nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

"MS" means mass spectrometry.

VII. EXAMPLES

[0108] These examples merely further illustrate and explain Applicants' invention. Applicants' invention should not be considered to be limited to any of the details in these examples.

[0109] In these examples, compound numbers in Roman num6rals reflect the structures which appear in Reaction Scheme 1, and Figure 1 The example reactions were monitored for extent of reaction, and reactants, intermediates, by-products, and products were quantified by HPLC analysis with UV absorption detection at 210 nm and by NMR.

Example 1: Makiniz disodium iminodiacetic acid in 3 steps, beginning with the cyanomethylation of 2-aminoethanol with glycolonitrile

[0110] 2-aminoethanol (9 g; 0.15 mol) was introduced into a 100 ml round-bottom flask (3 neck, 14/20 joints) containing a magnetic stirrer and fitted with a 60 ml addition funnel and an adapter for N₂. The mixture was stirred and cooled in an ice bath to 2°C. An aqueous solution of glycolonitrile (HOCH₂CN) (50% by weight; 17 g; 0.15 mol) was added dropwise over 10 minutes during which the temperature in the reactor never exceeded 14°C. After stirring in the ice bath for 15 minutes, the reaction was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for an additional 2 hours. Analysis by NMR indicated that the reaction was complete with a solution of 2-(N-cyanomethylamino)ethanol being formed.

[0111] The 2-(N-cyanomethylamino)ethanol solution prepared above was placed into a 100 ml Hastelloy-C autoclave. A warm (about 60°C) aqueous solution of NaOH (50% by weight; 30.0 g; 0.375 mol) was carefully added, during which time NH₃ rapidly evolved. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine in the solution.

[0112] A slurry containing copper sponge (3.57 g) in water (about 10 ml) was added to the N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine solution. The sealed autoclave was purged 5 times with H₂ (200 psia, 1379 kPa), pressurized to, 1379 kPa (135 psia) with H₂, and then heated at 160°C for 5 hours, during which time the evolved H₂ was vented using a back-pressure regulator to maintain a pressure of 931 kPa (135 psia) .The reaction mixture was then filtered and analyzed by HPLC, which showed a 38% yield of disodium iminodiacetate (based on the starting 2-aminoethanol).

Example 2: Making disodium iminodiacetic acid in 3 separate steps starting with 2-aminoethanol, HCN, and formalin

[0113] In this experiment, HCN was generated in situ in a reaction mixture from NaCN and H₂SO₄ for ease of handling and safety.

[0114] 2-aminoethanol (9 g; 0.15 mol) was introduced into a 100 ml round-bottom flask (3 neck, 14/20 joints) containing a magnetic stirrer and fitted with a 60 ml addition funnel and an adapter for N₂. Aqueous sulfuric acid (50% by weight; 11.1 g; 0.10 mol) was then introduced into the flask. The resulting mixture was stirred and cooled in an ice bath to 2°C. Sodium cyanide (9.8 g; 0.20 mol) in water (20 ml) was then added dropwise, during which time the temperature in the reactor was kept below 5°C. Subsequently, formalin (37%; 10.3 g; 0.15 mol) was added dropwise, with the temperature of the reactor again being kept below 5 °C. After stirring in the ice bath for 15 minutes, the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and then stirred for an additional 2 hours. Analysis by NMR confirmed that the reaction was complete, with a solution of 2-(N-cyanomethylamino)ethanol being formed. The reaction mixture was then stripped at room temperature overnight under vacuum (1-2 mm Hg) to remove excess 2-aminoethanol and HCN.

[0115] The 2-(N-cyanomethylamino)ethanol was next dissolved in water (20 ml) and placed into a 100 ml Hastelloy-C autoclave. A warm (about 60°C) aqueous solution of NaOH (50 % by weight; 30.0 g; 0.375 mol) was carefully added, during which time NH₃ was rapidly evolved. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine in the resulting solution.

[0116] A slurry of copper sponge (3.57 g) in water (about 10 ml) was then added to the N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine solution. The sealed autoclave was purged 5 times with H₂ (200 psia 1379 kPa), pressurized to 1379 kPa (135 psia) with H₂, and then heated at 160°C for 5 hours, during which time the evolved H₂ was vented using a back-pressure regulator to maintain a pressure of 931 kPa (135 psia). The reaction mixture was then filtered and analyzed by HPLC to confirm the formation of disodium iminodiacetate.

Example 3: Making disodium iminodiacetic acid starting with 2-aminoethanol and excess glycolonitrile under conditions which tend to reduce the formation of undesirable byproducts

[0117] This example shows the preparation of the disodium salt of iminodiacetic acid, starting with 2-aminoethanol and a 7% molar excess of glycolonitrile using conditions which tend, to increase the yield of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine and reduce the amount of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid during the cyanomethylation and hydrolysis steps.

[0118] 2-aminoethanol (10.6 g; 0.174 mol) was introduced into a 100 ml round-bottom flask (3 neck, 14/20 joints) containing a magnetic stirrer and fitted with a 60 ml addition funnel and an adapter for N₂. The mixture was stirred and cooled in an ice bath to 2°C. Glycolonitrile (53%; 17.5 g; 0.162 mol) was added dropwise over 18 minutes, during which time the temperature in the reactor increased to 10.4°C. The reaction mixture was maintained in the ice bath for 34 minutes, at which time the temperature was about 1°C. The mixture was then removed from the ice bath. The reaction mixture temperature was increased to 32°C over 23 minutes, and then cooled to ambient temperature. After stirring the mixture in the ice bath for 15 minutes, the reaction was allowed to warm to room temperature, and then stirred for an additional 2 hours. Afterward, the reaction mixture was stripped at room temperature overnight under vacuum (1-2 mm Hg) to remove excess 2-aminoethanol and HCN. There was essentially no color to the reaction mixture. After stripping the crude reaction product (18 g), proton NMR analysis indicated that the reaction was essentially complete, although some by-product resonances were present.

[0119] The crude 2-(N-cyanomethylamino)ethanol prepared above was next dissolved in water (20 ml). The solution was cooled to 7-8°C in an ice bath, and then an aqueous solution of NaOH (50% by weight; 15 g) was added dropwise over a 5 minute period. The temperature of the reaction mixture increased to 11°C, and then cooled to 6°C. After an additional 5 minutes, the mixture was removed from the bath and allowed to warm to ambient temperature. The temperature slowly rose to 57°C over 38 minutes, and then dropped to 44°C after 57 minutes. After 2 hours, the slightly orange reaction mixture was at ambient temperature. Results of proton NMR indicated complete reaction to N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine. The crude product weighed 53.2 g. Analysis of a portion by HPLC showed a N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-glycine yield of 93.4% (based on 2-aminoethanol), a residual 2-aminoethanol yield of 5.67%, and a N-(2-hydroxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid yield of 0.93% yield. The acids were present as the sodium salts.

[0120] The N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine sodium salt, residual 2-aminoethanol, and disodium N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-iminodiacetate were transferred with the aid of deionized water into a 300 ml nickel autoclave. A slurry of copper sponge (7.2 g) in water (about 20 ml) was added to the hydrolyzed 2-(N-cyanomethylamino)ethanol solution, after which an aqueous solution of NaOH (50%; 15 g) was added. The sealed and stirred autoclave was purged 5 times with H₂ (200 psia; 1379 kPa) and pressurized to 931 kPa (135 psia) with H₂. The reaction mixture was then heated at 160°C for 7 hours, during which time the evolved H₂ was vented using a back-pressure regulator to maintain a pressure of 931 kPa (135 psia). The reaction mixture was then filtered and analyzed by HPLC to confirm the formation of disodium iminodiacetate, and detect any trisodium nitrilotriacetate in the mixture.

Example 4: Making disodium iminodiacetic acid by cyanomethylating 2-aminoethanol with glycolonitrile, and then concurrently hydrolyzing and dehydrogenating the 2-(N-cyanomethylamino)-ethanol intermediate

[0121] 2-aminoethanol (9 g; 0.15 mol) was introduced into a 100 ml round-bottom flask (3 neck, 14/20 joints) containing a magnetic stirrer and fitted with a 60 ml addition funnel and an adapter for N₂. The mixture was stirred and cooled in an ice bath to 2°C. Glycolonitrile (50%; 17 g; 0.15 mol) was added dropwise over 10 minutes, during which the temperature in the reactor never exceeded 14°C. After stirring in the ice bath for 15 minutes, the reaction was allowed to warm to room temperature and then stirred for an additional 2 hours. NMR analysis indicated that the reaction was complete, forming a solution of 2-(N-cyanomethylamino)ethanol.

[0122] The 2-(N-cyanomethylamino)ethanol solution prepared above was placed into a 100 ml Hastelloy-C autoclave. A slurry of copper sponge (3.57 g) in water (about 10 ml) was added to the 2-(N-cyanomethylamino)ethanol solution. The sealed autoclave was purged 5 times with H₂ (200 psia) and pressurized to 135 psia with H₂. A warm (about 60°C) aqueous solution of NaOH (50% by weight; 30.0 g; 0.375 mol) was carefully added, and then the mixture was heated at 160°C for 5 hours, during which time the evolved H₂ and NH₃ were vented using a back-pressure regulator to maintain a pressure of 135 psia. The reaction mixture was then filtered and analyzed by HPLC to confirm the formation of disodium iminodiacetate.

Example 5: Making disodium iminodiacetic acid by cyanomethylating 2-aminoethanol with HCN and formalin, and then concurrently hydrolyzing and dehydrogenating the 2-(N-cyanomethylamino)-ethanol intermediate

[0123] For ease of handling and safety, HCN was generated in situ in the reaction mixture from sodium cyanide and H₂SO₄.

[0124] 2-aminoethanol (9 g; 0.15 mol) was transferred into a 100 ml round-bottom flask (3 neck, 14/20 joints) containing a magnetic stirrer and fitted with a 60 ml addition funnel and an adapter for N₂. Aqueous sulfuric acid (50%; 11.1 g; 0.10 mol) was then introduced into the flask. The mixture was stirred and cooled in an ice bath to 2°C. An aqueous solution of sodium cyanide (9.8 g; 0.20 mol) in water (20 ml) was added dropwise while keeping the temperature in the reactor below 5 °C. Formalin (37%; 10.3 g; 0.15 mol) was then added dropwise, again keeping the temperature in the reactor below 5 °C. After stirring in the ice bath for 15 minutes, the reaction was allowed to warm to room temperature and then stirred for an additional 2 hours. NMR analysis indicated that the reaction was complete, forming a solution of 2-(N-cyanomethyl-amino)ethanol. The reaction mixture was then stripped at room temperature overnight under vacuum (1-2 mm Hg) to remove excess 2-aminoethanol and HCN.

[0125] The 2-(N-cyanomethylamino)ethanol prepared above was dissolved in water (20 ml) and then placed into a 100 ml Hastelloy-C autoclave. A slurry of copper sponge (3.57 g) in water (about 10 ml) was added to the 2-(N-cyanomethyl-amino)ethanol solution. The sealed autoclave was purged 5 times with H₂ (200 psia; 1379 kPa ) and pressurized to 931 kPa(135 psia) with H₂. A warm (about 60°C) aqueous solution of NaOH (50% by weight; 30.0 g; 0.375 mol) was carefully added, and then the mixture was heated at 160°C for 5 hours, during which time the evolved H₂ and NH₃ were vented using a back-pressure regulator to maintain a pressure of 931 kPa (135 psia). The reaction mixture was then filtered and analyzed by HPLC to confirm the presence of disodium iminodiacetate.

Example 6: Making disodium iminodiacetic acid from 2-aminoethanol and glycolonitrile using a continuous process having 3 reactors, beginning with a cyanomethylation reactor

[0126] The first reactor in the continuous reactor system was a 1000 ml, 3-necked, round-bottom flask containing a magnetic stirrer and fitted with an adapter for N₂. The flask was cooled in an ice bath at 2°C. 2-aminoethanol was pumped into the stirred flask at a rate of 1.9 g/min, while simultaneously pumping 53% glycolonitrile into the flask at a rate of 1.7 g/min.

[0127] After 1 hour (and the addition of 216.9 g of reactants), the cyanomethylation reaction mixture was continuously pumped at 2.9 g/min to a hydrolysis reactor. The hydrolysis reactor was a 2000 ml, 3-necked, round-bottom flask containing a magnetic stirrer and fitted with an adapter for the N₂ sweep. With the flask at ambient temperature, 10% NaOH was pumped continuously into the stirred hydrolysis reactor at a rate of 2.9 g/ml. Samples were taken from the hydrolysis reactor at 0.5, 1.0, 3.5, 5.5, and 6.0 hr, and analyzed by HPLC. Results are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1

Results summary from a Continuous Cyanomethylation and Hydrolysis Reaction
Compound	Hydrolysis Time (hr)	0.5	1.0	3.5	5.5	6.0
MEA	% Yield	1.94	1.85	2.19	1.12	1.11
HEG	% Yield	65.2	46.4	68.1	65.7	78.7
HEIDA	% Yield	14.7	14.9	12.8	7.4	8.1
Glycolic Acid	% Yield	0.57	0.55	0.86	0.71	0.71
Formic Acid	% Yield	0.37	0.38	0.30	0.25	0.34
	Closure	81.8	63.1	83.1	74.2	87.9

MEA is 2-aminoethanol; HEG is N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine; HEIDA is N-(2-hydroxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid; Closure is the material balance in % or the total amount of product, by-products, and starting materials.

[0128] After 6 hours, pumping of the reaction mixture from the hydrolysis reactor and into a dehydrogenation reactor is started at a rate of 2.9 g/min. The dehydrogenation reactor is a 3000 ml nickel autoclave. The dehydrogenation reactor contains 200 g of an anchored metal catalyst (i.e., copper on platinum on activated carbon, such that the catalyst contains 13.4 wt% copper and 3.4 wt% platinum). The nickel autoclave is maintained at from 155-165°C and 931 kPa (135 psia) after purging 5 times with 1379 kPa (200 psia) N₂. In addition to the hydrolysis reaction mixture being fed at 2.9 g/min, 20% NaOH is also pumped continuously into the dehydrogenation reactor at a rate of 1.5 g/min. After 5 hours, the dehydrogenation reaction mixture is continuously withdrawn at a rate of 4.4 g/min and analyzed. Liquid chromatography analysis is used to confirm the presence of disodium iminodiacetic acid.

Example 7: Making disodium iminodiacetic acid from 2-aminoethanol, HCN, and formalin using a continuous process having 3 reactors, beginning with a cyanomethylation reactor

[0129] The first reactor in this continuous reactor system is a 1000 ml, 3-necked, round-bottom flask containing a magnetic stirrer and fitted with an adapter for N₂. The flask is placed in a lethal service facility and cooled in an ice bath at 2°C. 2-aminoethanol is pumped into the stirred flask at a rate of 1.9 g/min, while simultaneously pumping into the flask 37% formalin at a rate of 2.6 g/min, and liquid HCN at a rate of 0.9 g/min.

[0130] After 2 hours (and the addition of 648 g of reactants), the cyanomethylation reaction mixture is continuously pumped at 5.4 g/min to a hydrolysis reactor. The hydrolysis reactor is a 5000 ml, 3-necked, round-bottom flask containing a magnetic stirrer and fitted with an adapter for the N₂ sweep. With the flask at ambient temperature, 20% NaOH is pumped continuously into the stirred hydrolysis reactor at a rate of 1.5 g/ml.

[0131] After 6 hours, pumping of the reaction mixture from the hydrolysis reactor into a dehydrogenation reactor is started at a rate of 6.9 g/min. The dehydrogenation reactor is a 3000 ml nickel autoclave. The dehydrogenation reactor contains 200 g of an anchored-metal catalyst (i.e., copper on platinum on activated carbon, such that the catalyst contains 13.4 wt% copper and 3.4 wt% platinum). The nickel autoclave is maintained at 155-165°C and 931 kPa (35 psia) after purging 5 times with 1379 kPa (200 psia) N₂. In addition to the hydrolysis reaction mixture at 6.9 g/min, 20% NaOH is pumped continuously into the dehydrogenation reactor being fed at a rate of 1.5 g/min. After 5 hours, the dehydrogenation reaction mixture is continuously withdrawn at a rate of 8.4 g/min and analyzed with liquid chromatography to confirm the presence of disodium iminodiacetic acid.

Example 8: Making disodium iminodiacetic acid from 2-aminoethanol, HCN, and formalin using a continuous process having 2 reactors, with one of the reactors being used to concurrently hydrolyze and dehydrogenate the N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate

[0132] The first reactor in this continuous reactor system is a 1000 ml, 3-necked, round-bottom flask containing a magnetic stirrer and fitted with an adapter for N₂. The flask is placed in a lethal service facility, and cooled in an ice bath at 2°C. 2-aminoethanol is pumped into the stirred flask at a rate of 1.9 g/min, while simultaneously pumping into the flask 17% formalin at a rate of 2.6 g/min, and liquid HCN at a rate of 0.9 g/min.

[0133] After 2 hours (and the addition of 648 g of reactants), the cyanomethylation reaction mixture is continuously pumped at 5.4 g/min to the hydrolysis/dehydrogenation reactor. The hydrolysis/dehydrogenation reactor is a 3000 ml nickel autoclave containing 200 g of an anchored-metal catalyst (i.e., copper on platinum on activated carbon, such that the catalyst contains 13.4 wt% copper and 3.4 wt% platinum). The nickel autoclave is maintained at 155-165°C and 931 kPa (135 psia) after purging 5 times with 1379 kPa (200 psia) N₂. In addition to the hydrolysis reaction mixture at 5.4 g/min, 20% NaOH is pumped continuously into the reactor being fed at a rate of 3.0 g/min. After 5 hours, the dehydrogenation reaction mixture is continuously withdrawn at a rate of 8.4 g/min, and analyzed with liquid chromatography to confirm the presence of disodium iminodiacetic acid.

Example 9: Making disodium iminodiacetic acid from 2-aminoethanol, HCN, and formalin in a continuous process having multiple reactors in series, beginning with a cyanomethylation reaction zone

[0134] The first reactor in this continuous reactor system is a 500 ml, 3-necked, round-bottom flask containing a magnetic stirrer and fitted with an adapter for N₂. The flask is placed into a lethal service facility and cooled in an ice bath at 2°C. 2-aminoethanol is pumped into the stirred flask at a rate of 1.9 g/min, while simultaneously pumping into the flask 37% formalin at a rate of 2.6 g/min, and liquid HCN at a rate of 0.9 g/min.

[0135] After 1 hour (and the addition of 324 g of reactants), the cyanomethylation reaction mixture is continuously pumped at 5.4 g/min into the cyanomethylation finishing reactor. The cyanomethylation finishing reactor is a 500 ml, 3-necked, round-bottom flask containing a magnetic stirrer and fitted with an adapter for N₂. The flask is at ambient temperature.

[0136] After 1 hour (and the addition of 324 g of reactants), the cyanomethylation finishing reaction mixture (containing 2-(N-cyanomethylamino)ethanol) is continuously pumped at 5.4 g/min into a stripper. The stripper is a Teflon spinning band column operating at 13 kPa (100 mm Hg) The cyanomethylation finishing reactor mixture is introduced at the top of the stripper column. The 2-(N-cyanomethylamino)ethanol flows down the spinning column to a 50 ml receiver, concurrent with the removal of excess HCN and other volatiles at the top of the column.

[0137] The 2-(N-cyanomethylamino)ethanol mixture is next continuously pumped at 5.4 g/min into a hydrolysis reactor. The hydrolysis reactor is a 5000 ml, 3-necked, round-bottom flask containing a magnetic stirrer and fitted with an adapter for the N₂ sweep. With the flask at ambient temperature, 20% NaOH is pumped continuously into the hydrolysis reactor at a rate of 1.5 g/ml.

[0138] After 6 hours, pumping of the reaction mixture from the hydrolysis reactor to a dehydrogenation reactor is started at a rate of 6.9 g/min. The hydrolysis reactor is a 2000 ml nickel autoclave containing 200 g of an anchor metal catalyst (i.e., copper on platinum on activated carbon, such that the catalyst contains 13.4 wt% copper and 3.4 wt% platinum). The nickel autoclave is maintained at 155-165°C and 135 psia after purging 5 times with 200 psia N₂. In addition to the hydrolysis reaction mixture being fed at 6.9 g/min, 20% NaOH is pumped continuously into the dehydrogenation reactor at a rate of 1.5 g/min.

[0139] After 2.5 hours, the dehydrogenation reaction mixture is continuously pumped at a rate of 8.4 g/min to a dehydrogenation finishing reactor, which is a 2000 ml nickel autoclave containing 200 g of an anchor-metal catalyst (i.e., copper on platinum on activated carbon, such that the catalyst contains 13.4 wt% copper and 3.4 wt% platinum). The nickel autoclave is maintained at 155-165°C and 937 kPa (135 psia) after purging 5 times with 1379 kPa (200 psia) N₂.

[0140] After 2.5 hours, the dehydrogenation finishing reaction mixture is continuously withdrawn at a rate of 8.4 g/min to a product vessel and analyzed via liquid chromatography to confirm the presence of disodium iminodiacetic acid.

[0141] After 1 hour (and the addition of 564 g of reactants), the cyanomethylation finishing reaction mixture (containing sodium N-cyanomethylglycinate) is continuously pumped at 9.4 g/min to a stripper. The stripper is a Teflon spinning band column operating 13 kPa at (100 mm Hg) The cyanomethylation finishing reactor mixture is introduced at the top of the stripper column. The sodium N-cyanomethylglycinate flows down the spinning column to a 50 ml receiver concurrent with the removal of excess HCN and other volatiles at the top of the column.

[0142] Crude aqueous sodium N-cyanomethylglycinate is continuously pumped at 9.4 g/min to a hydrolysis reactor. The hydrolysis reactor is a 5000 ml, 3-necked, round-bottom flask having a magnetic stirrer and fitted with an adapter for the N₂ sweep. With the flask at ambient temperature, 40% NaOH is pumped continuously into the stirred hydrolysis reactor at a rate of 2.6 g/min. After 6 hours, the reaction mixture in the hydrolysis reactor is pumped at a rate of 12.0 g/min to a product vessel and analyzed via liquid chromatography to confirm the presence of disodium iminodiacetic acid.

Example 10: Preparation of a dehydrogenation catalyst: displacement deposition of a copper coatine onto a nickel sponge support in presence of Rochelle Salt

[0143] A mixture was formed by mixing (1) reagent grade CuSO₄·5H₂O (9.82 g, equivalent to 2.5 g Cu) (Mallinckrodt, St. Louis, MO), (2) sodium potassium tartrate hydrate (15 g, Rochelle salt) (Aldrich Chemical Co., Milwaukee, WI), and (3) deionized water (300 ml). This mixture was added dropwise at room temperature to a mechanically-stirred slurry containing Raney@ 3201 molybdenum-promoted nickel sponge (7.57 g) from W.R. Grace & Co., Chattanooga, TN in 50 ml of water. After about 45 minutes, the stirring was discontinued. The supernatant was then decanted after the catalyst settled, and an aqueous solution containing 50% by weight NaOH (approximately 50 ml) was then added to the remaining slurry (this is sometimes described in the art as a "Sullivan exchange").

[0144] During this copper deposition, the color of the solution containing the Raney® nickel changed from blue (the blue color stemming from the presence of Cu²⁺ ions) to green (the green color stemming from the presence of nickel ions), thereby evidencing the displacement of nickel with copper. Table 1 shows the W/Vis spectroscopy data at various points over the 45 minute copper deposition. As may be seen, the endpoint of the deposition could be conveniently determined by monitoring the wavelength of maximum absorbance (λ_max) and/or the absorbance of the maximum wavelength, which both stabilize as the endpoint is approached.

Table 2

UV/Vis Data Tracking Copper Uptake by Molybdenum-Promoted Nickel Sponge
Time (min.)	λmax (nm)	Absorbance (λmax)
0.5	796	2.20
3	796	1.18
9	784	1.00
20	750	0.73
33	740	0.46
45	736	0.41

Example 11: Preparation of a dehydrogenation catalyst: displacement deposition of a copper coating onto a nickel sponge support in presence of EDTA

[0145] A mixture was formed by mixing (1) reagent grade CuSO₄·5H₂O (5.89 g, equivalent to 1.5 g Cu) (Mallinckrodt), (2) an aqueous solution containing 50 wt.% NaOH (15.1 g), (3) EDTA (13.80 g) (from Aldrich Chemical Co.), and (4) deionized water (50 ml). This mixture was added dropwise at room temperature over a period of 65 minutes to a mechanically-stirred slurry which had previously been prepared by mixing (1) Raney® 3201 molybdenum-promoted nickel sponge (7.54 g) (from W.R Grace & Co.) in 50 ml of water, (2) EDTA (20.69 g), (3) an aqueous solution containing 50 wt.% NaOH (22.66 g), and (4) deionized water (500 ml). After about 10 minutes of additional stirring, the supernatant was decanted, and an aqueous solution of 50 wt.% NaOH (50 ml) was added to the remaining slurry.

Example 12: Preparation of a dehydrogenation catalyst: displacement deposition of a copper coating onto a pre-reduced, un-promoted nickel sponge support

[0146] An aqueous solution containing 12 wt.% NaBH₄ in 14 M NaOH (approximately 21 g) (from Aldrich Chemical Co.) was added to deionized water (200 ml), and then sparged with N₂. The resulting solution was then added to Raney® 2800 un-promoted nickel sponge (9.20 g) (from W.R. Grace & Co.) in 50 ml of water, and the resulting mixture was stirred for 35 minutes. The supernatant was subsequently decanted, and deionized water (200 ml) was added to the remaining slurry. This mixture was then mixed with a second mixture which was prepared by mixing Rochelle salt (3.5 g) (from Aldrich Chemical Co.), deionized water (500 ml), and L-tartaric acid (2.1 g) (Aldrich). The L-tartaric acid was used to buffer the solution to a pH of 3. Stirring was resumed, and a nitrogen-sparged mixture containing reagent grade CuSO₄·5H₂O (7.23 g, equivalent to 1.84 g Cu) (from Mallinckrodt) in 100 ml of water was then added dropwise over 50 minutes. The resulting mixture was stirred for an additional 15 minutes. The supernatant was then decanted, and the catalyst was washed with deionized water (200 ml) before being mixed with an aqueous solution of 50 wt.% NaOH (50 ml).

Example 13: Preparation of a dehydrogenation catalyst: displacement deposition of a copper coating onto an un-promoted nickel sponge support pretreated with acetone

[0147] A mixture containing Raney® 4200 un-promoted nickel sponge (14.13 g) (from W.R. Grace & Co.) and water (50 ml) was added to a solution of deionized water (75 ml) and acetone (75 ml). The acetone was used to remove hydrogen absorbed in the nickel which leads to undesired rapid plating, thus ensuring that all the copper was deposited by electroless plating. The resulting mixture was stirred under air for an hour, and then mixed with a second mixture that was prepared by mixing (1) reagent grade CuSO₄·5H₂O (3.89 g, equivalent to 0.99 g Cu) (from Mallinckrodt), (2) potassium tartrate (10.0 g), (3) an aqueous solution containing 50 wt.% NaOH (3.13 g), and (4) deionized water (100 ml). Stirring was continued for an additional 10 minutes. The catalyst was then allowed to settle, and the supernatant was decanted. The catalyst was subsequently washed twice with an aqueous solution of 50 wt.% NaOH (50 ml). Afterward, the catalyst was placed into an aqueous solution of 50 wt.% NaOH (36.5 g).

Example 14: Preparation of a dehydrogenation catalyst: electroless plating of copper onto a nickel sponge support

[0148] A mixture containing Raney® 2800 nickel sponge (9.09 g) (from W.R. Grace & Co.) and water (50 ml) was added to deionized water (150 ml) and acetone (150 ml). The resulting mixture was stirred under continuous nitrogen sparging for an hour. Afterward, the supernatant was decanted. A second mixture was prepared by mixing (1) reagent grade CuSO₄·5H₂O (4.99 g, equivalent to 1.34 g Cu) (from Mallinckrodt), (2) EDTA (6.27 g), (3) an aqueous solution containing 50 wt.% NaOH (5.15 g), and (4) deionized water (450 ml). This mixture was sparged with N₂ and added to the remaining sponge slurry. Next, sodium hypophosphite (NaH₂PO₂) (2.17 g) (from Aldrich Chemical Co.) was added dropwise over an hour while continuously sparging the mixture with N₂. The resulting mixture was then stirred for an additional 90 minutes under continuous N₂ sparging. The pH rose from 3.4 to 7 during this time, and the UV/Vis spectroscopy data showed that 0.85 g of copper was removed from the solution (i.e., 0.85 g of copper was plated onto the surface of the nickel sponge), thereby forming a catalyst containing 8.6% copper. To increase the rate of plating, additional sodium hypophosphite hydrate (1 g) was added, and the stirring was continued for another 30 minutes. Finally, the supernatant was decanted, and replaced with an aqueous solution containing 50 wt.% NaOH (50 ml).

Example 15: Preparation of a dehydrogenation catalyst: electroless plating of nickel sponge with copper EDTA at an elevated temperature using sodium hypophosphite as the reducing agent

[0149] Copper nitrate hemipentahydrate (approximately 5.0 g) (from Aldrich), EDTA (6/3 gpf) (Aldrich), and an aqueous solution of 50 wt% NaOH (5.1 g) were contacted with deionized water (400 ml) in a mechanically stirred beaker wrapped with heating tape. While the mixture was being sparged with N₂, sodium hypophosphite hydrate (7 g) was added and the mixture was heated to approximately 60°C. Raney® 2800 (approximately 9.1 g) (from W.R.Grace & Co.) in 50 ml of water was added to the mixture, which, in turn, was stirred for 30 minutes. Afterward, a solution of sodium hypophosphite hydrate (5 g) in deionized water (50 ml) was added slowly over 20 minutes. Stirring was stopped five minutes after the addition of the sodium hypophosphite hydrate. Subsequently, the supernatant was decanted, and 50 wt.% NaOH (50 ml) was added to the catalyst slurry.

Example 16: Preparation of a dehydrogenation catalyst: electroless plating of nickel sponge with copper in a non-aqueous solvent in the presence of sodium ethoxide (reducing agent) and ethylene diamine (chelator) after a NaBH₄ treatment to remove surface oxides

[0150] Copper(II) chloride dihydrate (approximately 6.17 g) (from Aldrich), ethylene diamine (4.35 g) (from Aldrich) were substantially dissolved in absolute ethanol (250 ml) giving a purple solution with some suspended solid. Raney® 2800 (approximately 9.20 g) (from W.R. Grace & Co.) was slurried in water (50 ml) and then added to a mechanically stirred mixture of water (100 ml) and 12% NaBH₄ in 14M NaOH (12.7 g) (Aldrich). Vigorous hydrogen bubbling occurred over about 3 minutes. After 5 minutes, stirring was discontinued and the supernatant was decanted. Two additions of absolute ethanol (100 ml each) followed by swirling and decanting were conducted to exchange the aqueous to the ethanol solvent. The copper/ethylene diamine suspension was then added, followed by stirring and nitrogen sparging. 21% sodium ethoxide in ethanol (approximately 7.4 g) (from Aldrich) was loaded into a dropping funnel and added dropwise over an hour until the color of the supernatant was pale blue. The supernatant was then decanted and the catalyst was rinsed twice with water (200 ml) to remove residual ethanol and sodium chloride. Afterward, a solution of 50% NaOH (50 ml) was added.

Example 17: Preparation of a copper/nickel sponge dehydrogenation catalyst

[0151] The purpose of this experiment is to prepare a mixed copper/nickel sponge. Without being bound to any particular theory, Applicants currently believe that copper may plate more evenly on such a sponge (relative to copper plating on a pure nickel sponge) because the copper-rich surface of the mixed copper/nickel sponge has more copper nucleation sites for plating.

[0152] The sponge was prepared by displacement of aluminum using copper chloride in a 50/50 (wt/wt) nickel/aluminum alloy in the presence of salt (NaCl) to prevent the reprecipitation of aluminum:

        3/2 CuCl₂ + Al° + NaCl → 3/2 Cu° + NaAlCl₄

Although the displacement of aluminum could have alternatively been conducted using, for example, a copper salt of a chelating agent (e.g., the copper salt of EDTA or copper tartrate) and base, such alternative techniques are typically more complicated and slower.

[0153] Dry 50/50 (wt/wt) Ni/Al alloy powder (approximately 20.0 g) ("Raney-type alloy," cat. no. 22,165-1, Aldrich) was weighed out and stored under N₂. CuCl₂·2H₂O (approximately 94.8 g) (from Aldrich) was dissolved in deionized water (300 ml) and then mixed with a solution containing Nad (64.98 g) in water (200 ml). While mechanically stirring this beaker under N₂, ice (approximately 400 g) was added, which reduced the temperature to -5°C (this did not cause precipitation). The pH of the resulting mixture was 2.1. Next, the Ni/Al alloy was added to the mixture all at once. The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes with continuous N₂-sparging during which time the temperature increased to 18 °C and the pH increased to 3.4. The solution was pale green due to acid oxidation of nickel:

        Ni° + 2NaAlCl₄ + 2H₂O→ Ni(AlCl₃OH)₂ + NaCl + H₂

Stirring was stopped, the supernatant was decanted, and the catalyst was washed with three portions of N₂-sparged deionized water (150 ml each). The catalyst was mostly deep copper red, but some black fines were also seen, many of which were lost during the decanting. The catalyst was stirred for 3 hours in a solution containing 50% NaOH (50 g) in deionized water (600 ml) with continuous N₂-sparging to complete the hydrolysis of the aluminum. The catalyst color changed to a uniform yellow-brown, indicating that the surface was Cu₂O. The catalyst was rinsed with two portions of N₂-sparged deionized water (250 ml each) and then stored under water.

Example 18: Preparation of a dehydrogenation catalyst: deposition of a copper coating onto the copper/nickel sponge of Example 20 via displacement deposition

[0154] The copper/nickel sponge of Example 15 (approximately 14.7 g) was suspended in an N₂-sparged mixture containing 12% NaBH4 in 14 M NaOH (30 g) and water (300 ml). The resulting mixture was stirred for 10 minutes to reduce any oxides on the nickel. The supernatant was then decanted, and the catalyst was rinsed with two portions of water (150 ml each). An N₂-sparged solution of copper sulfate pentahydrate (23.57 g) in water (250 ml) was then added to displace nickel on the surface of the sponge with copper. After an hour of stirring, the blue supernatant was decanted and the catalyst was rinsed with water (150 ml) and then solvent-exchanged with 50% NaOH.

Example 19: Preparation of a copper/cobalt sponge dehydrogenation catalyst

[0155] This example demonstrates the preparation of a copper/cobalt alloy sponge catalyst having a copper to cobalt weight ratio of 3:1.

[0156] An alloy (approximately 1 g) containing 52.1 wt.% aluminum, 35.2 wt.% copper, and 12.6 wt.% cobalt, prepared by Grace Davison, was introduced into a Fluitron five-gallon nickel reactor. Subsequently, an aqueous solution containing NaOH (3.07 g) and water (8 L) was added slowly through an addition funnel. To facilitate addition, a slight vacuum was applied to the reactor. The system was purged 3 times with N₂. then heated to 160°C and held at that temperature for 2 hours while stirring. Afterward, the mixture was cooled to 80°C, and then purged 3 more times with N₂ before opening the reactor. Four such alloy hydrolysis runs were conducted, ultimately producing a total of 1787 g of activated catalyst. Fines were removed with a 14 mesh screen.

Example 20 : Preparation of a dehydrogenation catalyst using different amounts of copper loading when coating a metal support

[0157] Three catalysts were prepared by electroless plating of nickel sponge (Raney® 4200, Grace Davison) with copper EDTA using different copper loadings. For each catalyst, a mixture of copper sulfate pentahydrate, 1.1 equivalents of EDTA (based on moles of copper), and 50% NaOH (40 g) in water (400 ml) was prepared and sparged with N₂. The nickel sponge was slurried into water (200 g) and a mixture containing 12 wt.% NaBH₄ in 14 M NaOH was added dropwise while stirring and N₂-sparging. The addition of NaBH₄ was stopped when the supernatant was clear and H₂ bubbling was observed, i.e., when about 1.3 equivalents of the NaBH₄ (based on moles of copper) was added. The amounts of the reagents used are given in Table 3.

Table 3

Catalyst Preparation
Copper loading	Nickel sponge	CuSO4·5H2O	EDTA	NaBH4 add time
10%	9.19 g in 200 g H2O	3.61 g	4.65 g	45 min
15%	9.22 g in 200 g H2O	5.44 g	7.00 g	40 min
25%	9.27 g in 200 g H2O	9.09 g	11.71 g	25 min.

Example 21: Preparation of a Copper-coated, Copper-Doped Nickel Sponge

[0158] This example demonstrates the electrochemical displacement deposition of copper onto a copper-doped nickel sponge catalyst under basic conditions followed by electrochemical displacement deposition of copper under acidic conditions.

[0159] A copper-doped nickel sponge catalyst (8.96 g), having an initial composition of 78.4% Ni, 8.3% Cu and 13.2% Al (from W.R. Grace of Columbia, MD) was slurried into nitrogen-sparged water (300 ml). A solution of 12% NaBH₄ in 14M NaOH was added to the slurry for the removal of surface oxidation. The suspension was stirred for 15 minutes with nitrogen sparging and the catalyst was allowed to settle. The supernatant was decanted and the catalyst was again slurried into nitrogen-sparged water (200 ml).

[0160] Electrochemical displacement deposition under basic conditions was begun by adjusting the pH of the catalyst slurry to approximately 7 by the addition of acetic acid. A solution of CuSO₄·5H₂O (8.80 g, equivalent to 25 wt% Cu with respect to the catalyst), tetrasodium EDTA dihydrate (17.60 g) and water (150 ml) was added to the catalyst slurry. To this mixture, a solution of 2.5N NaOH (56 ml or 4.0 equivalents) in water, (50 ml) was added dropwise with continuous stirring and nitrogen sparging. The pH rose from 9.3 to 12.4. A nearly clear supernatant was then decanted.

[0161] Immediately after decantation of the previous plating solution, a mixture of 50% gluconic acid (27.6 g or 2.0 equivalents), 2.5N NaOH (5.6 ml or 0.4 equivalents) and water (400 ml) was heated in a 95 °C oil bath and added to the catalyst. A copper salt solution containing CuSO₄·5H₂O (8.80 g) dissolved in water (100 ml) was the added to the catalyst suspension dropwise over 30 minutes with continuous stirring and nitrogen sparging. During the copper salt addition, the catalyst suspension cooled from 67°C to 30°C and the pH of the suspension fell from 3.3 to 2.6. A blue-green supernatant was then decanted and the catalyst was solvent exchanged with nitrogen-sparged 50% NaOH for transfer to a dehydrogenation reactor.

Example 22: Electroless plating of nickel sponge with copper in a non-aqueous solvent

[0162] This example demonstrates the electroless plating of copper onto a nickel sponge catalyst using a non-aqueous solvent.

[0163] Nickel sponge (15 g) was de-watered by sequentially washing and decanting with a 5% aqueous solution of sodium gluconate, THF and toluene. The catalyst was then slurried into a solution containing 10% Cu ion as Cullneodecanoate in toluene (24.8 g), ethylene diamine (1.76 g) and toluene (21 ml).

[0164] The catalyst slurry was then charged to a hydrogenation reactor. The reactor gas cap was purged with N₂ and H₂. The electroless plating was begun by stirring the slurry under 172-310 kPa gange (25 to 45 psig) of H₂ for 3 hours while linearly ramping the temperature inside the reactor from 25 °C to 80°C. The H₂ consumed during the reaction was replaced to maintain pressure in the reactor.

[0165] After the reaction is complete, the reactor was cooled to room temperature and the gas cap was purged with N₂. The supernatant, which had a light tan color, was decanted. The catalyst was then slurried into another copper ion solution identical to that described above and the plating procedure was repeated.

[0166] After the second electroless plating run, the reactor was cooled, the gas cap was purged with N₂ and the supernatant, which again had a light tan color, was decanted. The catalyst was then washed sequentially with toluene, THF, 1 % aqueous NaOH and water.

Example 23: Preparation of a Cu-doped Ni sponge dehydrogenation catalyst

[0167] This example describes the preparation of a Cu-doped Ni sponge catalyst that was supplied by the Davison Division of W.R. Grace and Co. The method of preparation was provided to the assignee hereof for use in describing the catalyst. As further explained herein, this catalyst is useful without further modification in catalyzing the dehydrogenation of a primary alcohol such as diethanolamine. Advantageously, it may also be plated with Cu to produce a modified catalyst having a Cu-containing active phase that is also useful in catalyzing such reactions.

[0168] Powdered aluminum, nickel and copper were mixed to provide a mixture containing 50% by weight Al, 45% by weight Ni and 5% by weight Cu. The mixture was placed in a graphite crucible/mold and heated in a furnace under an argon atmosphere to form an alloy. The furnace reached a maximum temperature of 1600°C over a period of 4 hours and this peak temperature was maintained for an additional 15 minutes. The resulting alloy was then cooled to room temperature under Ar over a 3-hour period.

[0169] The alloy was then crushed and ground to powder, and sieved using a 270 mesh U.S. Std. sieve. The powder passing through the 270 mesh sieve was then subsequently activated.

[0170] The catalyst activation comprised gradually adding, with stirring, the alloy powder to a vessel containing a 30% by weight solution of NaOH in water. The ratio of alloy powder to NaOH solution was 0.22:1 on a weight basis. The alloy was added to the solution and then digested (further stirred and heated) for a total period of 4 hours and 15 minutes. The temperature of the solution during alloy addition and digestion ranged from about 95 to about 105 °C.

[0171] After digestion, the catalyst was washed with water by a decant method until the pH of the slurry reached 9. The resulting catalyst had a weight basis composition of 77.0% Ni, 8.9% Cu and 13.8% Al. The average particle size was 23 microns as determined by Malvern light scattering method after 30 seconds ultrasound dispersion.

[0172] The above process was repeated using an initial metal mixture of 50% by weight Al, 43% by weight Ni and 7% Cu. The resulting copper-doped nickel sponge had a weight basis composition of 69.5% Ni, 11.2% Cu and 18.9% Al.

Example 24: Preparation of a Zinc-doped Copper Alloy Sponge Catalyst

[0173] This example describes the preparation of a Zn-doped Copper alloy sponge catalyst that was supplied by the Davison Division of W.R. Grace and Co. The method of preparation was provided to the assignee hereof for use in describing the catalyst. As further explained herein, this catalyst is useful without further modification in catalyzing the dehydrogenation of a primary alcohol such as diethanolamine. Advantageously, it may also be plated with Cu to produce a modified catalyst having a Cu-containing active phase that is also useful in catalyzing such reactions.

[0174] Powdered aluminum, nickel, zinc and copper were mixed to provide a mixture containing 50% by weight Al, 42.5% by weight Ni, 2.5% by weight Zn and 5% by weight Cu. The mixture was placed in a graphite crucible/mold and heated in a furnace under an argon atmosphere to form an alloy. The furnace reached a maximum temperature of 1000°C over a period of 4 hours and this peak temperature was maintained for an additional 15 minutes. The resulting alloy was then cooled to room temperature under Ar over a 3-hour period.

[0175] The alloy was then crushed and ground to powder, and sieved using a 270 mesh U.S. Std. sieve. The powder passing through the 270 mesh sieve was then subsequently activated.

[0176] The catalyst activation comprised gradually adding, with stirring, the alloy powder to a vessel containing a 35% by weight solution of NaOH in water. The ratio of alloy powder to NaOH solution was 0.26:1 on a weight basis. The alloy was added to the solution and then digested (further stirred and heated) for a total period of 4 hours and 45 minutes. The temperature of the solution during alloy addition and digestion ranged from about 95° to about 110°C.

[0177] After digestion, the catalyst was washed with water by a decant method until the pH of the slurry reached 9. The resulting catalyst had a weight basis composition of 81.4% Ni, 6.3% Cu, 11.5% Al and 0.4% Zn. The average particle size was 24 microns as determined by Malvern light scattering method after 30 seconds ultrasound dispersion.

Claims

1. A process for making an iminodiacetic acid compound from a monoethanolamine substrate, the process comprising:

continuously or intermittently introducing said monoethanolamine substrate into a cyanomethylation reaction zone;

continuously or intermittently contacting said monoethanolamine substrate with a source of formaldehyde and a source of cyanide in said cyanomethylation reaction zone to form a cyanomethylation product comprising a N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate;

continuously or intermittently introducing at least a portion of said N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate from said cyanomethylation product into a hydrolysis reaction zone;

continuously or intermittently contacting said N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate with a hydroxide source in said hydrolysis reaction zone to form a hydrolysis product comprising an N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine intermediate;

continuously or intermittently introducing at least a portion of said N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine intermediate from said hydrolysis product into a dehydrogenation reaction zone; and

continuously or intermittently contacting said N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine intermediate with a metal-containing catalyst in said dehydrogenation reaction zone to form a dehydrogenation product comprising an iminodiacetic acid compound,

wherein said monoethanolamine substrate has the formula:

and

R¹ is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl.

2. A process as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate from said cyanomethylation product is concurrently contacted with said hydroxide source and said metal-containing catalyst in a hydrolysis/dehydrogenation reaction zone comprising said hydrolysis reaction zone and said dehydrogenation reaction zone to form a hydrolysis/dehydrogenation product comprising said iminodiacetic acid compound.

3. A process as set forth in claims 1 or 2 wherein R¹ is hydrocarbyl.

4. A process as set forth in claim 3, wherein R¹ is methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, benzyl, or pentyl.

5. A process as set forth in claim 4, wherein R¹ is methyl.

6. A process as set forth in claims 1 or 2, wherein R¹ is hydrogen.

7. A process as set forth in claims 1 or 2, wherein said metal-containing catalyst comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of cadmium, copper, nickel, silver and lead.

8. A process as set forth in claims 1 or 2, wherein said metal-containing catalyst comprises copper.

9. A process as set forth in claim 8, wherein said metal-containing catalyst comprises a copper-containing active phase at the surface thereof and a supporting structure that is resistant to deformation under the conditions of the dehydrogenation reaction.

10. A process as set forth in claim 9, wherein said supporting structure comprises titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, or carbon.

11. A process as set forth in claim 9, wherein said metal-containing catalyst further comprises platinum, palladium, ruthenium, or gold at the surface of said supporting structure.

12. A process as set forth in claim 9 wherein said supporting structure comprises a metal sponge containing at least 15% by weight non-copper metal and at least 10% by weight copper.

13. A process as set forth in claim 9 wherein the active phase at the surface of said catalyst comprises at least 50% by weight copper.

14. A process as set forth in claim 13 wherein said active phase contains less than 1% by weight of a metal oxide other than cuprous oxide.

15. A process as set forth in claim 13 wherein said active phase contains less than 1% by weight of cuprous oxide.

16. A process as set forth in claim 13 wherein said active phase contains at least 1% by weight of a supplemental metal selected from the group consisting of chromium, titanium, niobium, tantalum, zirconium, vanadium, molybdenum, manganese, tungsten, cobalt, nickel, bismuth, tin, antimony, lead, germanium and mixtures thereof.

17. A process as set forth in claim 9 wherein said supporting structure comprises a metal containing at least 10% by weight non-copper metal.

18. A process as set forth in claim 17 wherein said catalyst comprises a metal sponge.

19. A process as set forth in claim 17, wherein said metal support comprises at least 10% by weight of a non-copper metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, zinc, tin, cobalt, iron and combinations thereof.

20. A process as set forth in claim 17 wherein said catalyst comprises a surface stratum comprising said active phase, said surface stratum containing between 0.005 and about 0.5 grams of copper per gram of said supporting structure.

21. A process as set forth in claim 17 wherein said catalyst comprises a metal sponge support having deposited thereon a copper-containing outer stratum.

22. A process as set forth in claims 1 or 2, wherein:

said formaldehyde source comprises formalin, paraformaldehyde, or glycolonitrile; and

said cyanide source comprises hydrogen cyanide or a salt thereof, or glycolonitrile.

23. A process as set forth in claim 22 wherein said cyanide source comprises sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide.

24. A process as set forth in claim 22 wherein said formaldehyde source and said cyanide source is glycolonitrile.

25. A process as set forth in claims 1 or 2, wherein said hydroxide source comprises an alkali metal hydroxide.

26. A process as set forth in claims 1 or 2, wherein said hydroxide source comprises NaOH.

27. A process as set forth in claim 2, wherein said N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate is contacted with said hydroxide source and said metal-containing catalyst at a reaction temperature of from 140°C to 190°C.

28. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said monoethanolamine substrate comprises 2-aminoethanol, said N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate comprises 2-(N-cyanomethylamino)ethanol, said N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine intermediate comprises sodium N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycinate, and said iminodiacetic acid compound comprises disodium iminodiacetic acid.

29. A process as set forth in claim 2, wherein said monoethanolamine substrate comprises 2-aminoethanol, said N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate comprises 2-(N-cyanomethylamino)ethanol and said iminodiacetic acid compound comprises disodium iminodiacetic acid.

30. A process as set forth in claims 1 or 2, wherein said process is conducted in a continuous reactor system.

31. A process as set forth in claim 30, wherein said cyanomethylation reaction zone comprises-a stirred-tank reactor.

32. A process as set forth in claim 30, wherein said cyanomethylation reaction zone comprises at least two stirred-tank reactors in series.

33. A process as set forth in claim 30, wherein said process further comprises separating hydrogen cyanide and/or water from said N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate.

34. A process as set forth in claim 33, wherein said hydrogen cyanide and/or said water are separated from said N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate in a stripper.

35. A process as set forth in claim 33, wherein at least a portion of said hydrogen cyanide separated from said N-cyanomethylated monoethanolamine intermediate is recycled back to the cyanomethylation reaction zone for contacting said monoethanolamine substrate.

36. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said process further comprises separating ammonia from said N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine intermediate prior to introducing said N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine intermediate into said dehydrogenation reaction zone.

37. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said dehydrogenation reaction zone comprises a stirred-tank reactor.

38. A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said dehydrogenation reaction zone comprises at least two stirred-tank reactors in series.

39. A process as set forth in claim 2, wherein said hydrolysis/dehydrogenation reaction zone comprises a stirred-tank reactor.

40. A process as set forth in claim 2, wherein said hydrolysis/dehydrogenation reaction zone comprises at least two stirred-tank reactors in series.

41. A process as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 40, wherein said process further comprises phosphonomethylating said iminodiacetic acid compound to form N-(phosphonomethyl) iminodiacetic acid or a salt thereof.

42. A process as set forth in claim 41, wherein said process further comprises oxidizing said N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid or salt thereof to form N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine or a salt thereof.

43. A process as set forth in claims 42 wherein N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid is oxidized to form N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, the process further comprising preparing an agronomically acceptable salt of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine.

44. A process as set forth in claim 43 wherein the agronomically acceptable salt of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine contains a cation selected from the group consisting of alkali metal cations, ammonium ion, isopropyl ammonium ion, tetra-alkylammonium ion, trialkyl sulfonium ion, protonated primary amine, protonated secondary amine and protonated tertiary amine.

Ansprüche

1. Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Iminodiessigsäureverbindung aus einem Monoethanolaminsubstrat, wobei das Verfahren umfasst:

kontinuierliches oder intermittierendes Einführen des Monoethanolaminsubstrats in eine Cyanomethylierungs-Reaktionszone;

kontinuierliches oder intermittierendes Kontaktieren des Monoethanolaminsubstrats mit einer Formaldehydquelle und einer Cyanidquelle in der Cyanomethylierungs-Reaktionszone zur Bildung eines Cyanomethyllerungsprodukts, umfassend ein N-cyanomethyliertes Monoethanolamin-Intermediat:

kontinuierliches oder intermittierendes Einführen mindestens eines Teils des N-cyanomethylierten Monoethanolamin-Intermediats aus dem Cyanomethylierungsprodukt in eine Hydrolyse-Reaktionszone;

kontinuierliches oder intermittierendes Kontaktieren des N-cyanomethylierten Monoethanolamin-Intermediats mit einer Hydroxidquelle in der Hydrolyse-Reaktionszone zur Bildung eines Hydrolyseprodukts, umfassend ein N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)glycin-Intermediat:

kontinuierliches oder intermittierendes Einführen mindestens eines Teils des N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)glycin-Intermediats aus dem Hydrolyseprodukt in eine Dehydrierungs-Reaktionszone; und

kontinuierliches oder intermittierendes Kontaktieren des N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)glycin-Intermediats mit einem metallhaltigen Katalysator in der Dehydrierungs-Reaktionszone zur Bildung eines Dehydrierungsprodukts, umfassend eine Iminodiessigsäureverbiuadung,

wobei das Monoethanolaminsubstrat die Formel besitzt:

und

R¹ Wasserstoff, Hydrocarbyl oder substituiertes Hydrocarbyl bedeutet.

2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei mindestens ein Teil des N-cyanomethylierten Monoethanolamin-Intermediats aus dem Cyanomethylierungsprodukt gleichzeitig mit der Hydroxidquelle und dem metallhaltigen Katalysator in einer Hydrolyse/Dehydrierungs-Reaktionszone, umfassend die Hydrolyse-Reaktionszone und die Dehydrierungs-Reaktionszone, kontaktiert wird zur Bildung eines Hydrolyse/Dehydrierungsprodukts, umfassend die Iminodiessigsäureverbindung.

3. Verfahren nach den Ansprüchen 1 oder 2, wobei R¹ Hydrocarbyl ist.

4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, wobei R¹ Methyl, Ethyl, Isopropyl, Benzyl oder Pentyl ist.

5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 4, wobei R¹ Methyl ist.

6. Verfahren nach den Ansprüchen 1 oder 2, wobei R¹ Wasserstoff ist.

7. Verfahren nach den Ansprüchen 1 oder 2, wobei der metallhaltige Katalysator ein Metall umfasst, gewählt aus der Gruppe, bestehend aus Cadmium, Kupfer, Niekel. Silber und Blei.

8. Verfahren nach den Ansprüchen 1 oder 2, wobei der metallhaltige Katalysator Kupfer umfasst.

9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8, wobei der metallhaltige Katalysator eine kupferhaltige aktive Phase an dessen Oberfläche und eine Trägerstruktur, welche unter den Bedingungen der Dehydrierungsreaktion deformationsbeständig ist, umfasst.

10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, wobei die Trägerstruktur Titanoxid, Zirkonoxid oder Kohlenstoff umfasst.

11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, wobei der metallhaltige Katalysator weiterhin Platin, Palladium, Ruthenium oder Gold an der Oberfläche der Trägerstruktur umfasst.

12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, wobei die Trägerstruktur einen Metallschwamm umfasst, enthaltend mindestens 15 Gew.-% Nichtkupfermetall und mindestens 10 Gew.-% Kupfer.

13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, wobei die aktive Phase an der Oberfläche des Katalysators mindestens 50 Gew.-% Kupfer umfasst.

14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13, wobei die aktive Phase weniger als 1 Gew.-% eines Metalloxids, das von Kupfer(I)-oxid verschieden ist, enthält.

15. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13, wobei die aktive Phase weniger als 1 Gew.-% Kupfer(I)-oxid enthält.

16. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13, wobei die aktive Phase mindestens 1 Gew.-% eines zusätzlichen Metalls enthält, gewählt aus der Gruppe, bestehend aus Chrom, Titan, Niob, Tantal. Zirkonium, Vanadium, Molybdän, Mangan, Wolfram, Kobalt, Nickel, Wismut, Zinn, Antimon, Blei, Germanium und Mischungen davon.

17. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, wobei die Trägerstruktur ein Metall umfasst. enthaltend mindestens 10 Gew.-% Nichtkupfermetall.

18. Verfahren nach Anspruch 17, wobei der Katalysator einen Metallschwamm umfasst.

19. Verfahren nach Anspruch 17, wobei der Metallträger mindestens 10 Gew.-% eines Nichtkupfermetalls umfasst, gewählt aus der Gruppe, bestehend aus Nickel, Zink, Zinn, Kobalt, Eisen und Kombinationen davon.

20. Verfahren nach Anspruch 17, wobei der Katalysator eine Oberflächenschicht umfasst, umfassend die aktive Phase, wobei die Oberflächenschicht zwischen 0.005 und etwa 0,5 Gramm Kupfer pro Gramm der Trägerstruktur enthält.

21. Verfahren nach Anspruch 17, wobei der Katalysator einen Metallschwammträger umfasst, auf dem eine kupferhaltige äußere Schicht abgeschieden ist.

22. Verfahren nach den Ansprüche 1 oder 2, wobei
die Formaldehydquelle Formalin. Paraformaldehyd oder Glykolnitril umfasst; und
die Cyanidquelle Hydrogencyanid oder ein Salz davon oder Glykolnitril umfasst.

23. Verfahren nach Anspruch 22, wobei die Cyanidquelle Natriumcyanid oder Kaliumcyanid umfasst.

24. Verfahren nach Anspruch 22, wobei die Formaldehydquelle und die Cyanidquelle Glykolnitril ist.

25. Verfahren nach den Ansprüchen 1 oder 2, wobei die Hydroxidquelle ein Alkalimetallhydroxid umfasst.

26. Verfahren nach den Ansprüchen 1 oder 2, wobei die Hydroxidquelle NaOH umfasst.

27. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, wobei das N-cyanomethylierte Monoethanolamin-Intermediat mit der Hydroxidquelle und dem metallhaltigen Katalysator bei einer Reaktionstemperatur von 140°C bis 190°C kontaktiert wird.

28. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Monoethanolaminsubstrat 2-Aminoethanol umfasst, das N-cyanomethylierte Monoethanolamin-Intermediat 2-(N-Cya-nomethylamino)ethanol umfasst, das N-(2-Hydroayethyl)glycin-Intermediat Natrium-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycinat umfasst, und die Iminodiessigsäureverbindung Dinatriumiminodiessigsäure umfasst.

29. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, wobei das Monoethanolaminsubstrat 2-Aminoethanol umfasst, das N-cyanomethylierte Monoethanolamin-Intermediat 2-(N-Cya-riomethylamino)ethanol umfasst und die Iminodiessigsäureverbindung Dinatriumiminodiessigeäure umfasst.

30. Verfahren nach den Ansprüchen 1 oder 2, wobei das Verfahren in einem kontinuierlichen Reaktorsystem durchgeführt wird.

31. Verfahren nach Anspruch 30, wobei die Cyanomethylierungs-Reaktionszone einen Rührtankreaktor umfasst.

32. Verfahren nach Anspruch 30, wobei die Cyanomethylierungs-Reaktionszone mindestens zwei Rührtankreaktoren in Reihe umfasst.

33. Verfahren nach Anspruch 30, wobei das Verfahren weiterhin das Abtrennen von Hydrogencyanid und/oder Wasser von dem N-cyanomethylierten Monoethanolamin-Intermediat umfasst.

34. Verfahren nach Anspruch 33, wobei das Hydrogencyanid und/oder das Wasser in einem Stripper von dem N-cyanomethylierten Monoethanolamin-Intermediat abgetrennt werden.

35. Verfahren nach Anspruch 33, wobei mindestens ein Teil des von dem N-cyanomethylierten Monoethanolamin-Intermediat abgetrennten Hydrogencyanids in die Cyanomethylierungs-Reaktionszone rezykliert wird, um das Monoethanolaminsubstrat zu kontaktieren.

36. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Verfahren weiterhin das Abtrennen von Ammoniak von dem N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)glycin-Intermediat vor der Einführung des N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)glycin-Intermediats in die Dehydrierungs-Reaktionszone umfasst.

37. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Dehydrierungs-Reaktionszone einen Rührtankreaktor umfasst.

38. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1. wobei die Dehydrierungs-Reaktionszone mindestens zwei Rührtankreatkoren in Reihe umfasst.

39. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Hydrolyse/Dehydrierungs-Reaktionszone einen Rührtankreaktor umfasst.

40. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Hydrolyse/Dehydrierungs-Reaktionszone mindestens zwei Rührtankreaktoren in Reihe umfasst.

41. Verfahren nach mindestens einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 40, wobei das Verfahren weiterhin die Phosphonomethylierung der Iminodiessigsäureverbindung umfasst, um N-(Phosphonomethyl)iminodiessigsäure oder ein Salz davon zu bilden.

42. Verfahren nach Anspruch 41, wobei das Verfahren weiterhin das Oxidieren der N-(Phosphonomethyl)iminodiessigsäure oder eines Salzes davon umfasst, um N-(Phosphonomethyl)glycin oder ein Salz davon zu bilden.

43. Verfahren nach Anspruch 42, wobei N-(Phosphonomethyl)iminodiessigsäure oxidiert wird, um N-(Phosphonomethyl)glycin zu bilden, wobei das Verfahren weiterhin die Herstellung eines agronomisch annehmbaren Salzes von N-(Phosphono-methyl)glycm umfasst.

44. Verfahren nach Anspruch 43, wobei das agronomisch annehmbare Salz von N-(Phosphonomethyl)glycon ein Kation enthält, gewählt aus der Gruppe, bestehend aus Alkalimetallkationen. Ammoniumion, Isopropylammoniumion, Tetraalkylammoniumion, Trialkylsulfoniumion, protoniertem primären Amin, protoniertem sekundären Amin und protoniertem tertiären Amin.

Revendications

1. Procédé pour fabriquer un composé acide iminodiacétique à partir d'un substrat monoéthanolamine, le procédé comprenant:

l'introduction continue ou intermittente dudit substrat monoéthanolamine dans une zone de réaction de cyanométhylation ;

la mise en contact continue ou intermittente dudit substrat monoéthanolamine avec une source de formaldéhyde et une source de cyanure dans ladite zone de réaction de cyanométhylation pour former un produit de cyanométhylation comprenant un intermédiaire monoéthanolamine N-cyanométhylé ;

l'introduction continue ou intermittente d'au moins une partie dudit intermédiaire monoéthanolamine N-cyanométhylé provenant dudit produit de cyanométhylation dans une zone de réaction d'hydrolyse ;

la mise en contact continue ou intermittente dudit intermédiaire monoéthanolamine N-cyanométhylé avec une source d'hydroxyde dans ladite zone de réaction d'hydrolyse pour former un produit d'hydrolyse comprenant un intermédiaire N-(2-hydroxyéthyl)glycine ;

l'introduction continue ou intermittente d'au moins une partie dudit intermédiaire N-(2-hydroxyéthyl)glycine provenant dudit produit d'hydrolyse dans une zone de réaction de déshydrogénation ; et

la mise en contact continue ou intermittente dudit intermédiaire N-(2-hydroxyéthyl)glycine avec un catalyseur contenant un métal dans ladite zone de réaction de déshydrogénation pour former un produit de déshydrogénation comprenant un composé acide iminodiacétique,

dans lequel ledit substrat monoéthanolamine présente la formule :

et

R¹ représente un atome d'hydrogène, un groupe hydrocarbyle, ou hydrocarbyle substitué.

2. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 1, dans lequel au moins une partie dudit intermédiaire monoéthanolamine N-cyanométhylé provenant dudit produit de cyanométhylation est simultanément mis en contact avec ladite source d'hydroxyde et ledit catalyseur contenant un métal dans une zone de réaction d'hydrolyse/déshydrogénation comprenant ladite zone de réaction d'hydrolyse et ladite zone de réaction de déshydrogénation pour former un produit d'hydrolyse/déshydrogénation comprenant ledit composé acide iminodiacétique.

3. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel R¹ représente un groupe hydrocarbyle.

4. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 3, dans lequel R¹ représente un groupe méthyle, éthyle, isopropyle, benzyle, ou pentyle.

5. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 4, dans lequel R¹ représente un groupe méthyle.

6. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel R¹ représente un atome d'hydrogène.

7. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel ledit catalyseur contenant un métal comprend un métal choisi dans le groupe constitué du cadmium, cuivre, nickel, argent et plomb.

8. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel ledit catalyseur contenant un métal comprend du cuivre.

9. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 8, dans lequel ledit catalyseur contenant un métal comprend une phase active contenant du cuivre à la surface de celui-ci et une structure support qui est résistante à la déformation dans les conditions de la réaction de déshydrogénation.

10. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 9, dans lequel ladite structure support comprend de l'oxyde de titane, de l'oxyde de zirconium ou du carbone.

11. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 9, dans lequel ledit catalyseur contenant un métal comprend en outre du platine, du palladium, du ruthénium, ou de l'or à la surface de ladite structure support.

12. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 9, dans lequel ladite structure support comprend une éponge métallique contenant au moins 15 % en poids de métal non cuivre et au moins 10 % en poids de cuivre.

13. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 9, dans lequel la phase active à la surface dudit catalyseur comprend au moins 50 % en poids de cuivre.

14. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 13, dans lequel ladite phase active contient moins de 1 % en poids d'un oxyde métallique autre que l'oxyde de cuivre.

15. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 13, dans lequel ladite phase active contient moins de 1 % en poids d'oxyde de cuivre.

16. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 13, dans lequel ladite phase active contient au moins 1 % en poids d'un métal supplémentaire choisi dans le groupe constitué du chrome, titane, niobium, tantale, zirconium, vanadium, molybdène, manganèse, tungstène, cobalt, nickel, bismuth, étain, antimoine, plomb, germanium et des mélanges de ceux-ci.

17. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 9, dans lequel ladite structure support comprend un métal contenant au moins 10 % en poids de métal non cuivre.

18. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 17, dans lequel ledit catalyseur comprend une éponge métallique.

19. Procédé tel qu'indiqué de la revendication 17, dans lequel ledit support métallique comprend au moins 10 % en poids d'un métal non cuivre choisi dans le groupe constitué du nickel, zinc, étain, cobalt, fer et des combinaisons de ceux-ci.

20. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 17, dans lequel ledit catalyseur comprend une strate en surface comprenant ladite phase active, ladite strate en surface contenant entre 0,005 et environ 0,5 gramme de cuivre par gramme de ladite structure support.

21. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 17, dans lequel ledit catalyseur comprend un support éponge métallique ayant déposée dessus une strate externe contenant du cuivre.

22. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel :

ladite source de formaldéhyde comprend le formaldéhyde, le paraformaldéhyde, ou le glycolonitrile ; et

ladite source de cyanure comprend l'acide cyanhydrique ou un sel de celui-ci, ou le glycolonitrile.

23. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 22, dans lequel ladite source de cyanure comprend le cyanure de sodium ou cyanure de potassium.

24. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 22, dans lequel ladite source de formaldéhyde et ladite source de cyanure sont le glycolonitrile.

25. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel ladite source d'hydroxyde comprend un hydroxyde de métal alcalin.

26. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel ladite source d'hydroxyde comprend NaOH.

27. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 2, dans lequel ledit intermédiaire monoéthanolamine N-cyanométhylé est mis en contact avec ladite source d'hydroxyde et ledit catalyseur contenant un métal à une température de réaction de 140°C à 190°C.

28. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit substrat monoéthanolamine comprend le 2-aminoéthanol, ledit intermédiaire monoéthanolamine N-cyanométhylé comprend le 2-(N-cyanométhylamino)éthanol, ledit intermédiaire N-(2-hydroxyéthyl)glycine comprend le N-(2-hydroxyéthyl)glycinate de sodium, et ledit composé acide iminodiacétique comprend l'acide iminodiacétique disodique.

29. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 2, dans lequel ledit substrat monoéthanolamine comprend le 2-aminoéthanol, ledit intermédiaire monoéthanolamine N-cyanométhylé comprend le 2-(N-cyanométhylamino)éthanol et ledit composé acide iminodiacétique comprend l'acide iminodiacétique disodique.

30. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel ledit procédé est mené dans un système de réacteur continu.

31. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 30, dans lequel ladite zone de réaction de cyanométhylation comprend un réacteur agité.

32. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 30, dans lequel ladite zone de réaction de cyanométhylation comprend au moins deux réacteurs agités en série.

33. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 30, dans lequel ledit procédé comprend en outre la séparation de l'acide cyanhydrique et/ou de l'eau dudit intermédiaire monoéthanolamine N-cyanométhylé.

34. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 33, dans lequel ledit acide cyanhydrique et/ou ladite eau sont séparés dudit intermédiaire monoéthanolamine N-cyanométhylé dans une zone de rectification.

35. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 33, dans lequel au moins une partie dudit acide cyanhydrique séparé dudit intermédiaire monoéthanolamine N-cyanométhylé est réutilisée de nouveau dans la zone de réaction de cyanométhylation pour une mise en contact avec ledit substrat monoéthanolamine.

36. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit procédé comprend en outre la séparation de l'ammoniac dudit intermédiaire N-(2-hydroxyéthyl)glycine avant l'introduction dudit intermédiaire N-(2-hydroxyéthyl)glycine dans ladite zone de réaction de déshydrogénation.

37. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite zone de réaction de déshydrogénation comprend un réacteur agité.

38. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite zone de réaction de déshydrogénation comprend au moins deux réacteurs agités en série.

39. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 2, dans lequel ladite zone de réaction d'hydrolyse/déshydrogénation comprend un réacteur agité.

40. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 2, dans lequel ladite zone de réaction d'hydrolyse/déshydrogénation comprend au moins deux réacteurs agités en série.

41. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 40, dans lequel ledit procédé comprend en outre la phosphonométhylation dudit composé acide iminodiacétique pour former l'acide N-(phosphonométhyl)iminodiacétique ou un sel de celui-ci.

42. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 41, dans lequel ledit procédé comprend en outre l'oxydation dudit acide N-(phosphonométhyl)iminodiacétique ou un sel de celui-ci pour former de la N-(phosphonométhyl)glycine ou un sel de celle-ci.

43. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 42, dans lequel l'acide N-(phosphonométhyl)iminodiacétique est oxydé pour former la N-(phosphonométhyl)glycine, le procédé comprenant en outre la préparation d'un sel agronomiquement acceptable de N-(phosphonométhyl)glycine.

44. Procédé tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 43, dans lequel le sel agronomiquement acceptable de N-(phosphonométhyl)glycine contient un cation choisi dans le groupe constitué de cations de métal alcalin, ion ammonium, ion isopropyl ammonium, ion tétra-alkylammonium, ion trialkyl sulfonium, amine primaire protonée, amine secondaire protonée et amine tertiaire protonée.

Drawing